Bay of Plenty Business News September/October 2019

24 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS September/October 2019
Comvita plants additional 2 million-plus
bee-friendly trees
Comvita has added 2.3 million trees to
the government’s official national tree
count leaderboard over the past year, the
company recently announced.
Celebrating Bee Aware
Month in September,
the Bay of Plenty-based
company currently
occupies second place on the
leaderboard having planted 6.4
million Manuka seedlings in
A Bay of Plenty Manuka Breeding
Programme trial site. Photo/Comvita.
regional parts of New Zealand
since 2016.
The company said its plantation
programme, as well as
helping to ensure the longevity
of the apiculture industry, contributed
to the biodiversity of
the natural environment and to
the wellbeing of bee colonies.
Jobs are also created in rural
areas where Manuka planting
takes place, said Comvita.
Over the past year, Comvita
planted more than 2,000 ha of
farmland in Manuka across six
regions.
Once the plantations are
established, Comvita will place
their hives on the properties to
collect a honey crop. Comvita’s
accompanying Manuka
Breeding Programme has
been successful in producing
high-quality UMF Manuka
cultivars to suit differing environments.
These superior seedlings
are used when developing
plantations.
But Comvita plantations
panager Joshua Easton. said
the programme wasn’t just
about Manuka.
“We’re now undertaking
companion planting, growing a
range of other native plant species
alongside Manuka to further
assist with beehive health
and biodiversity,” he said.
In 2018, the government
established its programme
charged with planting 1 billion
trees by 2028 to create
employment in regional areas,
optimise land use, protect the
environment and mitigate climate
change while supporting
New Zealand’s transition to a
low emissions economy.
So far 110 million trees
have been planted.
Comvita chief supply chain officer Colin Baskin, general
manager safety and sustainability Heather Johnston, and
plantations manager Joshua Easton. Photo/Comvita.
Countering climate
change
Comvita general manager
safety sustainability Heather
Johnston says planting native
trees is a powerful action New
Zealanders can take to counter
climate change, and protect the
country’s landscapes and waterways
for future generations.
“We’re proud of our positive
contribution to New
Zealand’s future through our
restorative plantings,” she said.
“Sustainability is at its best
when doing good benefits the
environment and the community,
while also aligning
with the commercial needs
of a business. We believe our
Manuka Plantation Programme
is an excellent example of that
in action.”
NZX-listed Comvita
reported a $27.7 million annual
net loss on its June 2019 year
earlier this year, compared
with an $8.2 million profit the
previous year.
Comvita chair Neil Craig
said the result was an extremely
disappointing conclusion to a
year of significant change.
The result included the third
poor honey season in a row, the
Chinese government’s crackdown
on the daigou (or resale)
trade, and tighter specifications
on the export of branded
Manuka honey.
By DAVID PORTER
Meet The Law Shop’s latest team member
The Law Shop’s friendly and approachable team,
based in Rotorua as well as from a virtual office
in Tauranga, brings a fresh and no-nonsense
approach to legal services. They are everyday
lawyers for everyday people that explain things
without using a bunch of confusing jargon.
movies and socialising with family
and friends. I’m also involved with
Rotary and Toastmasters.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what
would you be?
A writer! I am not sure that I actually
have an award-winning novel
in me, but still.
PAULA LINES
LL.B | Director
The Law Shop’s newest solicitor
is Joanne Douglas. She
joined the team at the firm’s
Rotorua office on Arawa Street in
April this year and in her role, she
helps clients with property matters
and personal law.
Her work includes conveyancing,
estate administration, setting up trusts,
the preparation of wills and enduring
powers of attorney, and more. We’ve
asked Jo a few questions.
What made you decide to become
a lawyer?
This is my second career which I
started in my forties. When I left
school, I trained as a radiographer.
It’s a challenging role, and I really
enjoy making sure that all our clients’
property and asset planning
needs are met. There is always
something new to learn.
What’s the best thing about working
at The Law Shop?
It’s a great place to work, where I
can truly do the best job for my clients.
That’s what is most important
to me. I love working with such a
committed team. Everyone here is
down to earth, relatable, extremely
hard-working, but also fun to be
around.
What do you enjoy most about
your job?
Helping people. I know that may
sound trite but in my line of work its
often about assisting people through
transitions in their life, whether that
be buying a house or business or
winding up an estate.
What do you like doing outside
of work?
I enjoy walking, reading, watching
Could you share some great advice
you’ve been given?
Be yourself, everyone else is takenthis
comes with courtesy of Oscar
Wilde!
Would you recommend your career
to others and if so, why?
Yes, I think there are a lot of options
to pursue as a lawyer. There are so
many diverse avenues and specialities
in law. It’s a fascinating field to
work in.
Whether you are buying a property
or setting up a business, if you
need a Will or support with family
matters, the team at The Law Shop
can give you all the information you
need, explain your options and processes
involved, and give you expert
advice on your unique situation.
The Law Shop also makes a
Joanne Douglas Solicitor at The Law Shop
PAULA LINES
LL.B | Director
point of being affordable, which
makes them the preferred solicitors
for businesses, families and retirees.
Give them a call on 0800 LAW
SHOP to get in touch. They promise
to make things as easy as can be.
Proudly serving our community from our offices in Rotorua and Tauranga.
ROTORUA
1268 Arawa St
Rotorua
TAURANGA
Virtual Office
ROTORUA
1268 Arawa St
Rotorua
TAURANGA
Virtual Office
201645AL