Waikato Business News March/April 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISING WRAP 

Walter van den Engel and Karl 

Nation at the new Ebbett showroom 

Introducing the new home of 

Ebbett Hamilton 

THE NEWCOMER MAKING WAVES 

at 47-51 Te Kōwahai Road East 

ebbetthamilton.co.nz 

See insert page 17


The doors are open, 

COME ON IN! 

Ebbett Hamilton have opened the doors to 

their new home in Te Rapa, Hamilton. 

The purpose built dealership 

stands with Ebbett Volkswagen on 

a 25,000m² shared site and features 

state of the art architecture and a 

stunning, customer-focused 

showroom. 

Home to Isuzu, SEAT, CUPRA, GMSV 

and a magnificent collection of preowned 

and vintage classic vehicles this new 

dealership takes automotive retail to a 

whole new level. 

The new site in Te Rapa is a comprehensive 

base for customers with a wide 

range of services such as multi-manufacturer 

sales, certified servicing, 

genuine parts & accessories, finance & 

insurance, panel & paint and wheels & 

tyres, all in one convenient location. 

Incorporated into the new dealership is 

a workshop that is home to the Ebbett 

Hamilton technicians, trained and 

certified in using approved diagnostic 

equipment to carry out repairs to the 

highest standard. 

The new workshop includes multiple 

service bays, significantly increasing 

“ 

Home 

capacity and improving the efficiency 

of repairs. 

Brand new car wash and grooming 

facilities put the cap on what is an 

amazing, industry leading space for 

the aftersales team to take care of our 

customer’s vehicles. 

Along with our vehicle specialists, 

Ebbett Hamilton also houses the 

head-office team taking care of group 

operations. This team are situated on 

to Isuzu, SEAT, CUPRA, 

GMSV and a magnificent collection 

of preowned and vintage classic 

vehicles this new dealership takes 

automotive retail to a whole new level. 

a second floor that features a boardroom, 

meeting room, reception and 

multiple office spaces. 

The second floor is incorporated into 

the structure in what architects call “a 

building within a building” with exposed 

concrete and steel used in collaboration 

with floor to ceiling glass sections. 

Since 1928 Ebbett has been a household 

automotive name in the Waikato 

and the group now represents 20 brands 

across 17 dealerships throughout the 

North Island. For Ebbett Hamilton, 

leaving the city centre was not an easy 

decision as this is where they’ve served 

customers for the past 93 years. 

However, the automotive base in Te 

Rapa presented so many benefits to the 

team and the service they can provide, it 

could not be passed on. 

The Anglesea St site which has served 

us so well will be replaced by the 

exciting Union Square development, a 

marque office and retail site strategically 

located at the south-end of the city’s 

CBD. This unique lifestyle space will 

deliver a world-class commerce environment 

in the heart of the Waikato. 

Construction of the Union Square development 

is well under way with framing 

steel for the first of five buildings already 

erected and whilst we are sorry to finally 

be leaving our home of so many years 

we are very excited about the opportunity 

Union Square offers the city of 

Hamilton as its replacement. 

ebbetthamilton.co.nz

MARCH/APRIL VOLUME 29: ISSUE 3 2021 WWW.WBN.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/WAIKATOBUSINESSNEWS 

Coming soon, 

Hamilton's northern gateway 

By RICHARD WALKER 

Perry Group are poised to press go on 

their flagship mixed-use Te Awa Lakes 

development in north Hamilton, with 

earthworks likely to start mid year. 

The 62 ha riverside site 

will be a highly visible 

city gateway for motorists 

arriving from the north 

along the expressway. 

Resource consents have 

been lodged with Hamilton 

City Council, with the 

response due by mid April. 

The master-planned development 

will feature residential, 

retail and tourism, 

including a water adventure 

park and river front amenity, 

transforming the former Perry 

sand quarry. 

The imminent green light 

comes after a four year process 

that included an abortive 

bid for special housing 

area status supported by 

council but knocked back by 

central government. 

When that happened, 

Perrys reverted to a private 

plan change, which was 

approved by commissioners in 

March 2020. 

Te Awa Lakes project 

CEO Richard Coventry, who 

is leading the development 

with development director 

Lale Ieremia, expects Schick 

Civil Construction to start 

earthworks in June, with 

house construction likely 

early in 2022. 

“It will be an exciting time 

to actually get something built 

on the land rather than being 

stuck in the planning process,” 

Coventry says. 

Continued on page 4

2 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS March/April 2021 

I have had constant support and guidance, 

but also the freedom to find out what 

works for me in terms of growing as a 

practitioner and finding my place 

DTI Lawyers 

celebrates a 

new director 

In a year where businesses needed strong 

leadership, DTI directors is pleased to 

announce the appointment of a new 

director, Nick Feast, effective 1 April. 

Since its establishment in 

2013, DTI has been at 

the forefront of helping 

businesses and business people 

successfully navigate the 

changing environment. It has 

established a reputation for 

providing astute legal advice 

and representation, which is reflected 

in its rapid growth, and 

is never more important than in 

the difficult and unprecedented 

circumstances of the past 

12 months. 

The modern firm is led by 

experienced directors Andrea 

Twaddle and Charlotte Isaac, 

who in April 2020, were joined 

by Hayley Willers and Jaime 

Lomas. The firm is excited to 

welcome Nick Feast to the directorship. 

DTI Lawyers’ directors 

are each highly sought 

after for their legal expertise, 

representing clients in the 

Waikato and throughout New 

Zealand. 

New director Nick Feast 

provides in depth knowledge 

and expertise in commercial, 

property, trust and estate matters, 

providing expert advice 

particularly in the areas of 

asset planning, property and 

business acquisition. 

He also provides contemporary 

outlooks on the sectors 

he specialises in. Nick’s clients 

are always impressed by his 

meticulous attention to detail, 

and his professionalism. 

Nick Feast 

Nick Feast joined the firm 

in 2016: 

“I saw from the start the 

commitment the directors had 

to their staff and to the community, 

and the fantastic workplace 

they had created, as well 

as the service clients receive 

from DTI. I have had constant 

support and guidance, but also 

the freedom to find out what 

works for me in terms of growing 

as a practitioner and finding 

my place.” 

“To be asked to join this 

leadership group is a real privilege, 

and something that has 

been a goal for me. I am sincerely 

grateful for the opportunity 

this presents, and excited 

to be a part of driving DTI 

forward alongside a group of 

directors for whom I have immense 

respect, and alongside a 

brilliant team”. 

Charlotte celebrates Nick’s 

promotion, “we are thrilled to 

recognise and promote Nick. 

He has a longstanding length 

of service to DTI and a strong 

alignment to DTI’s client centred 

approach to providing 

excellent legal services, which 

is reflected in the way he has 

been able to develop a varied 

and loyal client base during his 

time at DTI”. 

The directors are proud of 

having a culture that has been 

consciously designed with 

value placed on delivering 

quality work for clients, built 

on a strong foundation of an 

inclusive, well trained team. 

Jaime says that alongside work 

performed for clients, the importance 

of family and contributions 

to the community 

means that DTI is a great place 

to work. 

Like his fellow directors, 

Nick has strong roots in the 

Waikato and Waipa communities, 

having grown up in Kiwitahi, 

and completed his secondary 

schooling at Cambridge 

High School. Nick played for 

the Cambridge Cricket Club 

and Hautapu Rugby Club until 

recently, and has retained 

community interests through 

continued involvement in the 

Cambridge Cricket Association. 

“The Waikato and Waipa 

are my home, and I’m very 

glad to be working with my 

and with DTI’s networks from 

these communities.” 

The directors have a shared 

vision to build on DTI Lawyers 

strength in creating a relationship-based 

experience for clients, 

and a positive, inclusive 

workplace culture. 

And so, the directors are 

pausing to celebrate. 

Andrea reflects that the directors 

are “driven by what 

we think is the right thing to 

do for people – colleagues and 

clients. We know that people 

come to us for many reasons. It 

might be making the most of a 

business opportunity, resolving 

a problem, or planning and security 

for the future. These can 

be inherently stressful times. 

We’re confident that our lawyers 

are firstly specialists in the 

law, and also that the empathy 

of our team transfers not just to 

good legal advice, but that it 

is delivered in a personalised 

way.” 

Hayley comments that 

“Nick is a talented and naturally 

confident leader. Clients and 

our team appreciate his calm, 

considered approach to any issue. 

He already contributes to 

the leadership of the firm, and 

we are pleased to formally acknowledge 

this. We’re excited 

about the future of the firm and 

what we offer our clients, team 

and the community.” 

CELEBRATING A 

NEW DIRECTOR 

AT DTI LAWYERS 

Building on the firm’s success, DTI Lawyers are 

excited to have Nick Feast joining the directorship as 

of 1 April 2021. 

NICK FEAST is an experienced lawyer in commercial law, property, 

trust and estate matters, providing expert advice particularly in the 

areas of property, asset planning and business acquisition. 

Fellow directors Andrea Twaddle, Charlotte Isaac, Hayley Willers and 

Jaime Lomas are delighted to have Nick join them in leading the team 

at DTI Lawyers. 

SPECIALIST LAWYERS | 07 282 0174 | dtilawyers.co.nz

From the editor 

Kia ora koutou 

This month Waikato 

Business News welcomes 

a new columnist with a 

focus on urban design, architect 

Antanas Procuta. 

He writes in this issue on 

care for and connection with 

the planet, community and 

neighbourhood. As he notes, 

what once may have seemed 

fringe has become central. 

In particular, he mentions 

architecture that adds to and 

enhances existing buildings, 

rather than demolishing and 

starting again. 

Coincidentally, I saw 

an example of exactly that 

enhancement approach when 

I attended an event to showcase 

the new Urban Homes 

base in central Hamilton. The 

architects had decided to preserve 

the concrete core of 

the four storey building and 

then to encase it in glass, in 

effect putting the concrete on 

display. The polished concrete 

also made for a striking 

design component inside the 

building. As Antanas notes 

in his column, others including 

Matt Stark are taking a 

similar approach to buildings 

around Hamilton. 

What of the other end of 

the scale, the residential home? 

Let’s start with clarifying something. 

The fact residential landlords have 

been able to claim a tax deduction 

for mortgage interest is not a 

‘loophole’. 

PwC partner Hayden Farrow on the 

Government’s housing announcement. Page 43 

About half of Hamilton’s new 

housing is in-fill. In principle, I 

believe that is a good thing - it 

bothers me how ready decision 

makers are to keep going out, 

swallowing up valuable productive 

land in the process. In 

practice, though, some of the 

infill I’m seeing appears to be 

nasty, poky stuff, cramming 

humans and their cars into 

spaces that in no way enhance 

a notion of neighbourhood. 

In that sense, I’m not sure it’s 

very different from what we 

used to call banana boxes back 

in the day - the ubiquitous concrete 

block two-level flats that 

popped up around the city with 

no regard for community. 

Personally, I’m waiting for 

apartment living to really take 

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS March/April 2021 

off in central Hamilton. A 

family member has managed 

to buy an apartment off the 

plan in Auckland, courtesy 

of Kiwibuild. The apartment, 

one of 210 in the complex, 

neighbours a small park, is 

within cooee of a suburban 

town centre and a harbour, 

and, while compact, has been 

cleverly designed to make the 

most of its spaces. The complex 

has a swimming pool, a 

cafe, a large shared residents’ 

lounge, green space and loads 

of bike stands along with car 

park spaces. By Auckland 

standards, it is also affordable. 

Bring it on. 

Ngā mihi 

Richard Walker 

“ As long as it plants the 

seed, then we can keep 

nurturing that. ” 

St John’s Pasifika dean Di Lyons on 

the STEM-Hub event aimed at Pasifika, 

Māori and female students from low 

decile Waikato schools. Page 13 

PUBLISHER 

Deidre Morris 

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Richard Walker 

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“ There is a really good support 

network and we aren’t afraid 

to give things a go. ” 

The story of Raglan’s thriving producers. 

Page 14 

25 Ward Street, Hamilton 

Ph: (07) 838 1333 | Fax: (07) 838 2807 

www.wbn.co.nz


Coming soon, Hamilton's northern gateway 

From page 1 

Te Awa Lakes will be a 

mixed-use development featuring 

water activities and 

medium to high density housing, 

with some low density 

along the riverfront. 

Perrys also owns a further 

15 ha on the other side of the 

expressway, which comes 

under the Waikato District 

Council. Development there, 

intended to include a retirement 

village, will wait until the 

result of a district plan change, 

which Coventry expects won’t 

happen before the end of 

the year. 

About 1300 properties are 

set to be built in total - 1000 

on the Hamilton side of the 

expressway and 300 on the 

WDC side - and it is possible 

those numbers may rise. 

A hotel is also planned for 

the site. 

Coventry says it is important 

to have plenty of amenity 

to go with the high density 

housing, which will include 

an affordable component. 

“We've got the lakes and a 

lot of amenity,” he says. “So 

we've got a village centre that 

will be developed and walkways, 

wetland areas, open 

spaces.” 

He paints a picture of residents 

having access to most of 

what they need locally, rather 

than a drive away. “You wake 

up in the morning and go 

down to the gym, go to a cafe, 

potentially work from home or 

from a serviced office within 

the precinct. Everything's 

there on your doorstep.” 

As something of a trailblazer 

in the Waikato for master-planned 

communities of its 

scale, Te Awa Lakes has drawn 

for design inspiration on New 

Zealand and international 

examples, including Hobsonville 

Point in Auckland, Tauriko 

Lakes in Tauranga and 

Pegasus in Christchurch. 

Typologies will include 

standalone houses, terraced 

apartments, three level walkups 

and potentially multilevel 

apartments. 

It's just such an 

exciting project for 

the region to be 

involved in. 

“There's such a shortage of 

housing [in Hamilton] at the 

moment. We want to provide 

that solution and we think 

high-density product with 

plenty of amenity is more 

affordable, but also a good 

solution in terms of making 

the most out of limited infrastructure. 

“Ten percent of the product 

in Te Awa Lakes needs 

to be 90 percent of the Hamilton 

median house price. So 

we're looking at ways we can 

achieve that.” 

Ieremia says they are looking 

to follow up on the Government’s 

housing announcement 

in March aimed at 

increasing home affordability. 

With Perry choosing to commit 

to about 100 affordable 

homes in the development, 

Government funding could 

assist its delivery. 

Any approaches to Government 

will be coordinated, 

with Ieremia co-chairing the 

Waikato Housing Initiative 

which takes in projects across 

the region. “That's a programme 

of housing that we 

will look for Government's 

assistance on,” he says. 

Te Awa Lakes also fits 

with long-term planning 

for the transport corridor to 

Auckland. 

“We've got an opportunity 

to potentially work with the 

Hamilton to Auckland Corridor 

strategy and start one of 

the first major developments 

on that route that's got a combination 

of live, work and 

play,” Ieremia says. 

Coventry says the development’s 

final residential 

makeup will depend on developers 

and home builders and 

the sorts of products they want 

to bring to market. 

Te Awa Lakes are close 

to selecting home builders 

and apartment developers to 

work on the site. “We need 

to protect the look and feel of 

the development, follow the 

design guidelines and ensure 

quality housing.” 

Perrys has its own stormwater 

management plan on 

site and has already put in 

wastewater pipes and water 

pipes, and a roundabout. It 

has also reached an agreement 

The waiting is almost over for Lale Ieremia, Simon Perry and Richard Coventry 

with near neighbour Fonterra, 

which had earlier resisted the 

development. The agreement 

will see the two companies 

jointly developing a buffer 

area of about 20 hectares for 

commercial use as well as recreation 

with access to the Te 

Awa cycleway. 

Perry Group chair Simon 

Perry says the two organisations 

are talking positively. “It 

will be a recreation and amenity 

area, not just for the residents, 

but [Hamiltonians can] 

bike out or drive out and enjoy 

some aqua activities, biking, 

climbing, that kind of thing. 

“We've done a lot of homework 

on that from lockdown 

through to now. It's actually 

trying to fit the long list of 

what we could do in there.” 

The agreement has seen 

Te Awa’s commercial centre 

shift close to the buffer area, 

slightly south of its original 

position. 

Depending on demand, 

Coventry expects it might 

take five to seven years to 

develop the full site on the 

Hamilton side, with amenity 

being developed during the 

process. 

“It's just such an exciting 

project for the region to be 

involved in, it is fantastic to 

be able to deliver alongside 

Simon and Lale. It's going to 

be great.” 

Perry says it’s been a long 

road to get to this point. 

“The market's just got 

more and more hungry for 

this sort of product. It’s 

catching up to the vision 

really, isn't it?” 

Waikato tech sector 

on a roll: panel 

The Government Minister 

responsible for developing 

a digital strategy for 

New Zealand says the Waikato 

has the opportunity for a bigger 

slice of the rapidly growing 

computer gaming sector. 

Minister for Digital Economy 

and Communications, 

David Clark, told his audience 

at a Grow Waikato event 

that early work in his portfolio 

is coalescing around three 

themes. 

“The first of those is trust. I 

think some of the work Gallagher 

is doing is a real illustration 

of the trust that we have 

around the world, people trust 

our products.” 

Inclusion is another theme, 

and the third is growth. Clark 

cited the New Zealand computer 

gaming sector. “Every 

job in that sector is worth over 

$400,000 in export revenue. 

That's pretty extraordinary. 

That's an average. That is definitely 

an industry we want to 

continue to grow in New Zealand 

and, in fact, one that is 

growing rapidly. It's about 42 

percent per annum compounding 

growth in that sector. 

“I know that there's some 

really interesting exciting 

David Clark at the Grow Waikato event. 

things going on here in Hamilton, 

as well, in that area in 

the Waikato. So I'm keen on 

ongoing conversations around 

that.” 

Clark was part of a panel of 

speakers at Wintec’s Atrium, 

along with David Hallett from 

Company-X, Kahl Betham 

from Gallagher, Mike Jenkins 

and Ryan Joe from The Instillery, 

John Hanna from Ultrafast 

Fibre and Rob Vickery from 

Hillfarrance. 

The growth theme sounded 

by Clark was also picked up by 

other speakers, while Waikato’s 

collaborative approach 

also featured at the event, 

which was organised by Hamilton 

East MP Jamie Strange. 

Hallett said Waikato was 

increasingly recognised by 

people outside the region as 

a future hot spot for tech. He 

said a recent Te Waka survey 

of the tech sector showed 79 

percent of respondents were 

selling services and products 

outside New Zealand and 

35 percent of the respondent 

companies had at least one 

office offshore. “So these truly 

are global companies based 

here in the Waikato.” 

He said growth comes 

from overseas people wanting 

to work with Waikato companies, 

and several factors 

attract them. One is fluency 

in English, which is “really 

important” as an international 

business language. New Zealand’s 

well aligned timezone 

with the US, particularly on its 

West Coast, is useful, as is the 

country’s ethical reputation. 

Further boosts come from New 

Zealand’s cost efficiency and 

ability to deliver. 

“One of the things which 

is important to growth, if you 

look at any studies, is the ability 

to collaborate inside a market,” 

Hallett said. 

He said Company-X was 

collaborating with a lot of 

the other organisations in the 

room. “And as an industry 

here in the Waikato, we collaborate 

through industry events, 

and also through industry initiatives 

and projects.” 

I know that there’s 

some really 

interesting exciting 

things going on 

here in Hamilton, 

as well in that area 

in the Waikato. So 

I’m keen on ongoing 

conversations 

around that. 

Betham echoed Hallett’s 

message, as did other speakers. 

“One of the things that 

makes Waikato really special 

is a propensity to partner, to 

work together, to act as one 

large family,” Betham said. 

“The heart we have as a 

region, how we work together, 

is going to propel us to the 

next level.” 

Vickery said the Waikato 

doesn’t need to be a clone of 

anywhere else, and can build 

its own unique companies, 

while Jenkins said the region 

needed to be confident about 

telling its own story. 

Hanna, who shifted to the 

Waikato two years ago, said 

he had been struck by the level 

of innovation, tertiary education, 

and how coordinated 

the region’s industries are. 

“The ability for the Waikato 

not just to stand on a national 

stage, but to punch way above 

on a global stage is absolutely 

real.” 

Hallett did, however, sound 

a note of caution. “Unfortunately 

in the tech industry, 

we are under represented 

by females, which is really 

sad. The national average at 

the moment is 20 percent of 

all jobs in tech are filled by 

women, that means we are 

pretty much missing out on 

another 30 percent of our 

workforce that we could otherwise 

have.” 

He said Company-X is 

working with Smart Waikato, 

through the secondary school 

employer partnership programme, 

to try to get year 10 

girls interested in tech as a 

vocational pathway. 

“It's about increasing the 

opportunity and showing people 

there's really, really cool 

things that can be done.” 

Betham similarly said there 

needs to be a focus on recruitment 

and training. “When 

this export sector grows substantially 

and doubles in size, 

we are going to need a lot 

more people. And it's going 

to take a really strong partnership 

between government, 

between private organisations, 

and education,” he said. “It's 

a challenge for us all, how 

are we going to create this 

community?”

Data quality project 

promotes better 

decisions 

The creation of a world leading national 

roading database sparked a data quality 

project leading to better-informed decision 

making in the New Zealand transport sector. 

A 

data quality project led 

by the Road Efficiency 

Group (REG) is 

helping lift investor confidence 

in the New Zealand transport 

sector. REG is a collaboration 

between Local Government 

New Zealand (LGNZ), Waka 

Kotahi NZ Transport Agency 

and 68 road controlling authorities 

including the Department 

of Conservation and city and 

district councils. 

REG enables road controlling 

authorities across New 

Zealand to monitor and measure 

roads with the same tools and 

standards. 

REG’s creation of the One 

Network Road Classification 

(ONRC) system and the import 

of all roading data into the Performance 

Measures Reporting 

Tool (PMRT) made road controlling 

authorities aware of data 

quality issues. 

The data quality project was 

initiated to improve the quality 

of transport-related data for 

effective evidence-based decision 

making. 

“When you pull a lot of data 

together for the first time you 

discover the quality is variable,” 

said Agile software specialist 

Company-X co-founder and 

director Jeremy Hughes. 

Company-X built the One 

Network Road Classification 

Performance Measures Reporting 

Tool for REG. 

Poor data quality leads to a 

distorted view of reality, Hughes 

said. 

“There can be a lot of inconsistency 

within organisations. 

Different regions, offices and 

staff can lead to variations in 

data quality. As can changes in 

staff and business processes. 

You don’t know that your data is 

inconsistent until you pull it all 

into one place. 

“The evidence was quite 

anecdotal so we built a set of 

63 metrics which quantified the 

data quality across the important 

data and built easy to use dashboards 

so that people could see 

where they needed to put their 

effort and investigate further.” 

Infrastructure asset management 

specialist Dr Theuns Henning 

of the University of Auckland 

said the data quality project 

was driving change. 

“If you start reporting numbers, 

it changes behaviour. It’s 

human nature. The moment you 

start reporting on what people 

do, they start reacting to it,” 

Henning said. 

“If you set targets to that 

performance, you get there 

quicker. You get that instantaneous 

response, and the data 

quality has significantly, drastically 

improved over a two-year 

period, which was just incredible 

to watch.” 

ROAD EFFICIENCY GROUP: Manager Partnership 

Programmes at Waka Kotahi Andrew McKillop. 

TEAM WORK: Company-X co-founder and director Jeremy Hughes 

discusses the Road Efficiency Group project with his team. 

Waka Kotahi director and 

REG chair Jim Harland said 

improving data quality enabled 

members of the land transport 

sector to benchmark against 

their peers and ask: “How come 

you’re getting a better result 

than us?” 

“By providing data quality 

reports every year, people can 

see where they’re improving, 

where they’re doing well compared 

to their peers and so on,” 

Harland said. 

“Waka Kotahi, as a major 

investor in the land transport 

system, was very interested in 

the quality of the data.” 

Former Local Government 

New Zealand chief executive 

and REG board member Malcolm 

Alexander said data quality 

was fundamental for good 

investment decisions. 

“The quality of official data 

is a problem, and how you construct 

a decent asset management 

plan and investment profile 

behind that if you don’t know 

where your weak points are, in 

terms of your need for investment? 

That goes to one, the 

data, and then the quality of it. 

Because if it’s not high quality, 

you’re fooling yourself. You’re 

guessing, essentially. It might be 

an educated guess within some 

data, but essentially, it’s a guess 

because you’re not sure of the 

data quality, and you therefore 

could be making bad investments,” 

Alexander said. 

“Quality was the natural evolution 

after getting the data – it 

is a natural evolution and it’s a 

never-ending story. How do I 

get better quality? It helps support 

the culture of quality and 

better investment decisions,” 

Alexander added. 

Good quality data is 

priceless. How can 

you make a good 

decision if you don't 

have good data? 

“Bad data quality just means 

it makes it harder to understand 

where you’re at, and therefore, 

hard to direct the capital into the 

places it should go, rather than 

be wasted in places where it 

doesn’t need it, and you fall into 

that trap not because it’s silly or 

anything: bad quality of your 

data doesn’t give you that power 

to make more informed choices, 

and that’s all it is. It is getting the 

power to make more informed 

choices.” 

Manager Partnership Programmes 

at Waka Kotahi 

Andrew McKillop said the 

transport sector wanted to 

improve the quality of the data 

in its reporting system. 

“We had to improve the quality 

of data coming in, so we got 

better reporting. 

“For me, good quality data is 

priceless. How can you make a 

good decision if you don’t have 

good data? If you don’t have 

good data, you can’t do good 

analysis. You can’t make good 

decisions and therefore you 

don’t have good results, good 

outcomes.” 

Publishing data quality 

reports promoted transparency 

in the transport sector and continuous 

improvement. 

“We’re not into revolution, 

we’re into evolution. We started 

on this journey 30 years ago, and 

we are still making improvements. 

We are in a unique position 

in New Zealand. We set the 

standards for the roading sector 

and continue to evolve.” 

Navigate the 

digital landscape 

with us


Malaysian links boosted 

By RICHARD WALKER 

Waikato business links with the lucrative 

Southeast Asian market have been 

boosted with the arrival in the region of the 

NZ Malaysia Business Association. 

With almost $3 billion 

in annual bilateral 

trade, Malaysia 

ranks as New Zealand’s 10th 

biggest trading partner and 

provides a gateway to the 

wider region. 

The launch of the association’s 

Hamilton branch in 

March was attended by the 

Malaysian High Commissioner, 

and drew business people, 

including Singaporeans, 

from Taupō, Rotorua and 

Auckland as well as Hamilton 

and the Waikato. 

Founded in Auckland in 

2019, the NZ Malaysia Business 

Association has built on 

strong links to the Waikato in 

its first foray south, with the 

launch held at Trust Waikato’s 

offices on Little London Lane. 

President Dave Ananth 

said there was a mix of Malaysian-related 

businesses in the 

region, including retail, manufacturing, 

restaurants and food 

importers, with a lot of franchise 

business. 

He said the non-profit 

association, which boasts free 

membership, is aimed at connecting 

Kiwi and Malaysian 

businesses. 

“We've been approached by 

Malaysians who are looking 

for halal products in New Zealand 

and we have approached 

businesses who can provide 

those,” he said. 

Both our countries 

are trading nations, 

and we rely on 

trade for economic 

prosperity. Therefore, 

we have been 

progressive in 

exploring ways to 

further deepen our 

trade relations. 

“It can be food, it can be 

fisheries, it can be manufacturing, 

anything. It can even be 

students studying an MBA.” 

The importance of building 

relationships was something 

of a theme at the launch, 

reiterated by several speakers 

including Hamilton West MP 

Gaurav Sharma. 

He said doing business, 

including with Malaysia, was 

about forging relationships 

and building connections. 

“What's important is that 

we understand what the market 

is going to look like in two 

years’ time, in five years’ time 

in 10 years’ time. And that's 

where this business association 

comes into play.” 

Houston Technology 

founder Alan Chew said the 

Waikato was a connected 

region, which made doing 

business easy. 

“I believe that I wouldn't 

have succeeded in my business, 

which is now I believe 

the oldest IT business in the 

region, if not for the connections, 

the relationships,” said 

Chew. 

“As a Malaysian, I endorse 

the formation of NZMBA, I 

believe it is a very good move 

for the region. And I hope 

that we all can continue our 

dialogue and turn this into an 

organisation whose objective 

is to help the business transactions 

between the various 

countries.” 

The Hamilton branch opening 

reflects NZMBA’s association 

with law firm Stace Hammond, 

founded in the city 109 

years ago. 

Malaysian-born Ananth 

is a senior tax counsel in its 

A good crowd was drawn to the launch of the Hamilton branch of the NZ Malaysia Business Association. 

At the launch, from left, Gaurav Sharma, William Durning (front), 

Alan Chew (back), High Commissioner Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo, Don Good, 

Maxine van Oosten, Patrick Wilson (back), Dennis Turton (front) and Dave Ananth. 

Auckland office, and the firm 

is acting as the association’s 

secretariat. 

It was Ananth’s commitment 

to community that drove 

the business association’s 

establishment, Stace Hammond 

managing partner Patrick 

Wilson said. “That fits 

very much in with the Stace 

Hammond ethos.” 

Ananth said NZMBA 

sprang into action during the 

first Covid lockdown with 

its Reach Out campaign, 

helping businesses and supporting 

Malaysians stranded 

in New Zealand. 

He acknowledged the help 

of others including the High 

Commission, Stace Hammond 

and the wider community. 

“We all banded together in a 

time of adversity.” 

That sees the association 

well placed to play a key role 

when the borders reopen, 

Ananth says. 

“We are marketing New 

Zealand, we are marketing 

New Zealand products. So 

anyone who wants to do business, 

not only in Malaysia, 

even in Singapore, come and 

see us because we've got the 

connections.” 

High Commissioner 

Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo 

said trade relations between 

the two countries were 

robust despite the Covid-19 

pandemic. 

She said Malaysia was 

New Zealand’s 10th largest 

global trading partner, 

with total trade almost $NZ3 

billion in 2020. Malaysia’s 

major exports to New Zealand 

included crude petroleum, 

electrical and electronics 

products, chemicals and palm 

oil based manufactured products, 

while imports from New 

Zealand included processed 

food, agricultural goods, 

chemicals, and pulp and paper 

products, she said. 

“Both our countries are 

trading nations, and we rely 

on trade for economic prosperity. 

Therefore, we have 

been progressive in exploring 

ways to further deepen our 

trade relations.” 

She said the two countries 

were reaping the benefits of a 

free trade agreement signed in 

2009 and the ASEAN-Australia-New 

Zealand FTA, as well 

as the Regional Comprehensive 

Economic Partnership, 

the world's largest free trade 

agreement, signed in November 

2020. 

In February, Malaysia 

launched its digital economy 

blueprint, the High Commissioner 

said. “It is timely as 

we witnessed how the disruption 

caused by the pandemic 

shifted the economic dynamics 

to the digital.” 

The digital economy is 

expected to make up 22.6 

percent of Malaysia GDP 

by 2025, and is a potential 

area for future cooperation, 

she said. 

“Given that the digital 

economy is broad-based, 

potential areas of cooperation 

would naturally include other 

sectors such as healthcare, 

finance, agritech, creative 

industry and other services.” 

Ananth said the association 

is eyeing further openings in 

Wellington and Christchurch, 

and also wants to work with 

other business associations 

like those of Cambodia and 

Thailand. 

“I'm starting to talk to other 

communities as well. Let's not 

just talk about celebrating. 

Yes, cultural is great. But let's 

talk business.” 

+++++++ 

+++++++ 

+++++++ 

+++++++ 

+++++++ 

Procuta Associates 

Urban + Architecture 

Contact us 07 839 6521 

www.pauaarchitects.co.nz


7


CONVERSATIONS WITH MIKE NEALE 

OF NAI HARCOURTS HAMILTON 

Hamilton vacancy rates 

increase – but not by much 

The latest Hamilton Occupancy Survey 

completed jointly between NAI Harcourts 

and CBRE Research shows the 

impact that Covid-19 has had to December 

2020. The impact across the Industrial and 

CBD office sectors highlights the Hamilton 

resilience. 

Industrial 

Monitored industrial building stock measures 

1.9 million square metres, with stock increasing 

during 2020 by in excess of 30,000 sqm. 

In addition, 19 projects were under construction 

at the time of the survey (December 

2020), which will increase total stock by 

70,000 sqm when completed. 

During the 12 months to December 2020, 

industrial vacancy has increased only slightly, 

to 1.3 percent. As a result of intensive industrial 

land development in the Waikato region 

over the past few years, occupiers have had 

choice: Te Rapa, Northgate at Horotiu, Hamilton 

Airport, Ruakura or Hautapu (Cambridge). 

However there has been significant 

take-up of land by both owner-occupiers and 

developers - as a result there has been a large 

reduction in industrial land capacity, signalling 

more new builds to come. Improving 

transportation networks and strong economic 

performance of the ‘golden triangle’ of Auckland, 

Hamilton and Tauranga continues to 

keep focus on this region. To put this into 

context, Christchurch industrial vacancy now 

sits at 4.0 percent, Wellington at 4.6 percent 

and Auckland at 1.5 percent. Despite Covid, 

the Hamilton industrial market experienced 

strong developer and occupier activity, coming 

out the other side relatively unscathed. 

The healthy supply pipeline, especially in Te 

Rapa North and Titanium Park, together with 

larger speculative developments, are testaments 

to developer confidence, underpinned 

by the above average economic performance 

of the Waikato region where GDP growth 

was 1.9 percent in 2020 compared to the 

national average of 1.6 percent. 

Office 

Monitored CBD office stock measures 

261,000 sqm with A and B Grade now making 

up 31 percent of total stock, up from 15 

CBD OFFICE VACANCY BY GRADE 

INDUSTRIAL VACANCY BY PRECINCT 

Mike Neale - Managing Director, 

NAI Harcourts Hamilton. 

percent 10 years ago. Grade D and E Now 

sits at 33 percent of total stock, down from 

47 percent 10 years go. This transition is continuing 

to have a significant impact on the 

desirability and therefore growing levels of 

occupancy in Grades A and B. 

Hamilton in the 6 months to December 

2020 saw overall vacancy rise by only 0.7 

percent, from 7.5 percent to 8.2 percent. 

The CBD has three of the most significant 

developments it has seen in the last 20 years, 

which at completion will add close to 50,000 

sqm to the CBD office stock. This includes: 

• AFI Development’s Union Square. 

• Stark Property’s Tristram Precinct. 

• Tainui Group Holdings’ ACC building. 

The Covid environment impacts on future 

work patterns are yet to fully arise in the 

Hamilton office market. The availability of 

quality sub-lease space that has been seen in 

Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch has 

not been as apparent in Hamilton to date. In 

the Covid context the occupier mix in Hamilton 

is supportive of a stable office leasing 

market. As a comparison, Christchurch prime 

now sits at 8.3 percent, Wellington at 6.6 percent 

(Prime at 1.2 percent and secondary at 9 

percent), with Auckland sitting at 12 percent 

(up by nearly 5 percent in the six months to 

December 2020). 

Why do I believe retail has been so resilient 

in the Hamilton CBD? We are not reliant 

on large numbers of government and large 

corporate occupiers, as is the case in central 

Wellington and Auckland. Those were the 

tenants that remained working from home 

for much longer and were slower to respond 

to getting back into the office and supporting 

local businesses. 

For a full copy of the latest Hamilton 

Industrial and Hamilton CBD Office Occupancy 

Surveys: 

Industrial: https://lnkd.in/g3NYcmh 

Office: https://lnkd.in/g77uwqN 

NAI Harcourts Hamilton 

Monarch Commercial Ltd MREINZ Licensed 

Agent REAA 2008 

Cnr Victoria & London Streets, HAMILTON 

07 850 5252 | hamilton@naiharcourts.co.nz 

www.naiharcourts.co.nz 

205180AB 

‘Add, transform, 

re-use’: mantra for 

our modern age 

LANDMARKS 

> BY ANTANAS PROCUTA 

Antanas Procuta is Principal Architect at Hamilton-based PAUA, 

Procuta Associates Urban + Architecture 

I attended a Pecha Kucha evening at 

the recent Cambridge Autumn Festival. 

A 

good crowd of expectant 

people - as ever 

entertained by the 

intelligent whimsy of MC 

Dr Richard Swainson - was 

treated to 10 tight talks ranging 

from Josh Easby’s ‘A lifelong 

love of Football’ centring 

on the luckless York City FC 

team, to Camille Guzwell’s 

recovery journey having suffered 

concussion in a football 

game at, by chance, Easby’s 

current pitch in Cambridge. 

Of note on the night however, 

was a coincidence of 

subject focus that may have 

once seemed fringe, but now 

takes central stage as being 

essential and immediate 

issues. Presentations on collective 

action in community 

gardening, co-housing, and 

minimising one’s negative 

impact upon the environment 

were direct and compelling. 

Hamiltonian Rebecca 

Brown spoke of the restorative 

and meaningful nature 

and culture of the Kukutaruhe 

community garden adjacent 

to Fairfield College; of having 

a garden plot alongside others, 

and sharing knowledge 

of working with the land and 

seasons to nurture and grow 

vegetables for her family 

table. Rebecca was up-front 

how the fellowship of the 

Kukutaruhe gardeners and a 

‘place to call one’s own’ provided 

a productive sanctuary 

for someone who lives in an 

era where owning your own 

home is an uncertain dream. 

Brad White, a passionate 

advocate for co-housing, 

talked of the journey he and 

a group of families and individuals 

have undertaken over 

the last couple of years. Brad 

explained co-housing (CoHo) 

is an international movement 

that sees people form what 

seem like ‘mini-villages’ 

comprising an enclave of 

houses (with vehicles kept at 

the edge), good outdoor space 

and gardens, some shared 

facilities and some shared 

decisions. The benefits he 

described included a more 

affordable home ownership 

Nic Turner presenting at the Pecha Kucha evening. 

Photo: Jeremy Tritt of Liquid Design Ltd. 

model, better utilisation of land, 

infrastructure and buildings, 

and a sense of neighbourly 

connectedness and purpose. A 

difficulty is in finding land of 

suitable size and sufficiently 

close to Cambridge township 

for the advantage that urban living 

and working provide. Brad 

announced that ‘making contact 

through the old-fashioned 

medium of a letterbox drop’, 

discussions are now underway 

with a landowner for a potential 

site purchase. 

After a corporate career in 

fast-moving consumer goods, 

Nic Turner demonstrated with 

examples in her own life that 

consciously making many 

small decisions on a daily basis 

becomes an easy habit and way 

of life for consuming, discarding 

and spending much, much 

less. The impact is a smaller 

lifestyle carbon footprint and 

virtually no waste; Nic’s family 

throws out just a single bag of 

rubbish every year. The clarity, 

simplicity and result of the 

endeavour is startling. 

The coinciding focus of 

these talks - along with some 

of the other presentations at 

the Cambridge Pecha Kucha 

- is on a care for, and connection 

with, the things around 

us – the planet, community 

and the neighbourhood – and 

on a capability and imperative 

to work together. Each talk 

expressed an active rebalancing 

of lifestyle values. In some 

ways, this consideration reflects 

the slower, more conscious and 

more resourceful way that most 

of us had to, or chose to, live 

through last year’s seven-week 

lockdown. 

So what of architecture and 

urban design in all this conscious 

rebalancing? 

Not to overdo coincidence, 

and moving from a local to 

a global perspective, in mid- 

March the 2021 Pritzker Prize 

for Architecture was awarded to 

French architects Anne Lacaton 

and Jean-Phillipe Vassal. The 

Pritzker Prize is architecture’s 

greatest professional accolade, 

honouring a living architect 

or architects whose built work 

demonstrates a significant contribution 

to humanity and the 

built environment. Past recipients 

include American Frank 

Gehry, Australian Glenn Murcott, 

and the late, London-based 

Iraqi architect, Zaha Hadid. 

This year’s award is a radical 

departure in that Lacaton-Vassal 

is not known as a ‘star-architect’ 

with its own brand of new 

architecture. 

The Pritzker Award jury 

noted that - as architects of 

urban housing, private residences, 

schools and galleries - 

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Phillipe 

Vassal in their 33 year practice 

have ‘consistently expanded the 

notion of sustainability as a real 

balance between its economic, 

environmental and social pillars’. 

Lacaton and Vassal have 

a reported mantra of ‘Never 

demolish, never remove or 

replace; always add, transform 

and re-use’. Their architectural 

projects are premised on adding 

to and enhancing the attributes 

of an existing building and surrounds 

rather than the prevalent 

and often expedient approach 

of demolition and rebuilding 

anew. Given that the built environment 

currently accounts 

for an estimated 40 percent 

of global carbon emissions, 

this approach to development 

acknowledges the inherent 

architectural worth, the considerable 

quantity of local and 

imported materials, and the 

substantial amount of energy 

invested at the outset in the construction 

of every building. 

Here in Hamilton, we have 

seen this approach with Stark 

Property’s redevelopment 

work, building on the foundations 

and framework of existing 

and perhaps tired old buildings, 

and reinvigorating the inside 

and outside visage with new 

life. 

This year’s Pritzker Award 

acknowledges a timely re-balancing 

of the development paradigm, 

and recognises that a 

concerted, sustainable approach 

to design and development 

is required. The challenge 

remains in seeking to consider 

many other older Waikato properties 

and their character in the 

face of seismic strengthening, 

increasing floor space, and 

quality requirements.

Emergency doctors 

open for online calls 

Emergency medicine is being taken online, thanks to a group 

of Waikato specialists who are offering consultations to patients 

across New Zealand. 

Three Waikato Hospital 

colleagues have devised 

the Emergency Consult 

service, which is aimed at 

delivering 24-hour urgent care 

using a virtual platform created 

in Hamilton. 

Emergency physicians provide 

online consultations to 

the general public, as well as 

to smaller emergency departments, 

nurse-run clinics, and 

pharmacies 

Patients who register with 

the service only need a phone 

or device with a camera and 

a method of payment. A consultation 

costs $89 for adults 

or $49 for children 14 years 

and under. 

Clinical director Martyn 

Harvey says they are seeing 

an increasing uptake from 

the general public, while also 

forging links with pharmacies 

and smaller EDs around 

the country. 

Harvey, who has worked 

for more than 20 years in emergency 

medicine, started the 

business with Giles Chanwai, 

also a long-serving Waikato 

Hospital emergency physician, 

and Jenni Falconer, Waikato 

Hospital’s former ED nurse 

manager. 

Harvey says the service’s 

roster of six doctors are qualified 

emergency medicine 

specialists, whose “day job” 

is working in big emergency 

departments. 

“A lot of smaller hospitals 

around New Zealand and 

around the Waikato - Taumarunui, 

Te Kuiti, Thames and 

places like that - don't have that 

level of specialists. We are an 

alternative, by providing some 

surge capacity.” 

Having a good 

relationship with a 

good GP is really 

beneficial. So we 

don't want to take 

over that space. 

They are working with 

Kaitaia Hospital, providing 

extra cover for its doctors with 

nurses able to tap into Emergency 

Consult’s services. 

Their services are also being 

enlisted at Anglesea Pharmacy, 

which includes a Health Hub 

managed by a clinical nurse 

specialist. The pharmacy has 

established a dedicated consult 

room ready for walk-ins who 

present with illness or injury 

that require attention from an 

emergency doctor, with the 

nurse or pharmacist sitting in 

on the video call. 

Meanwhile, Harvey says 

the number of general patients 

is in the high single figures 

over a 24 hour period, and their 

numbers have been doubling 

every few weeks. 

Emergency Consult deal 

with a range of issues, from 

patients with minor injuries 

or infections to holidaymakers 

who have left their prescriptions 

at home. Occasionally, 

they will refer to hospital specialists 

or to an emergency 

department. 

The platform was developed 

for them by Hamilton-based 

Website Angels and 

is end to end encrypted. “None 

of the data that goes into there 

can be hacked.” 

Harvey sees the virtual 

offering as an adjunct to face 

to face consultations with the 

patient’s own GP, and differentiates 

them from online GP 

startups. 

Emergency Consult doctors and founders Giles Chanwai and Martyn Harvey. 

“We differ from them a little 

bit in that we're not GPs,” 

he says. “Having a good relationship 

with a good GP is 

really beneficial. So we don't 

want to take over that space.” 

Harvey has seen up close 

the hazards of early adoption, 

with the $16 million 

SmartHealth virtual health 

scheme launched by Waikato 

DHB proving a dismal flop. 

“There's plenty of things 

to learn from there to try and 

avoid those sort of pitfalls,” 

Harvey says. 

“But ultimately, I think 

they're probably just overstretched 

a bit much and 

thought the buy-in was going 

to be a bit more rapid than it 

was. And so it was, unfortunately, 

a big failure.” 

He is enjoying the work. “I 

don't know that I would want 

to work virtually all the time,” 

he says. “It's just a different 

way of working. You've got a 

little bit more time. You still 

connect with people like you 

do when you're seeing them in 

person, and you can do it from 

home. 

“It's a really good foil for 

doing some work within the 

hospital system.” 

Packaging waste 

used in construction 

New Zealand builders 

will soon be able to 

replace plywood, particle 

board and plaster board 

with low-carbon construction 

boards made from packaging 

waste such as used beverage 

cartons, soft plastics and coffee 

cups. 

The technology to turn 

waste into high performance 

building material was developed 

in the US where it has 

been widely used for more 

than a decade. The product 

was chosen by Tesla as the 

membrane roof substrate for 

its 200,000sq m factory in 

Nevada. 

The waste-to-building 

material technology is being 

brought to New Zealand by 

saveBOARD, a new venture 

backed by Freightways, Tetra 

Pak and Closed Loop. The first 

New Zealand saveBOARD 

plant will be at Te Rapa near 

Hamilton and its first production 

run is scheduled for 

late 2021. The plant is projected 

save up to 4000 tonnes 

of waste from landfill every 

year. Twelve new jobs will 

be created initially, with more 

expected as the project grows. 

The company will manufacture 

an impact resistant 

board with similar performance 

to plywood, OSB (oriented 

strand board) and particle 

board that can be used for 

interior and exterior applications. 

Using proven, patented 

technology which has been 

SaveBOARD cladding at Zero Waste Bistro, New York 

operating for over 12 years, 

the material is upcycled from 

waste into affordable, high performance, 

low carbon building 

materials. Co-founder and 

CEO Paul Charteris says making 

high-performance low carbon 

building materials using 

100 percent recycled materials 

from everyday waste is a 

gamechanger for the construction 

industry in New Zealand. 

“It will enhance the construction 

industry’s drive towards 

more sustainable construction 

practices.” 

The organisation is negotiating 

to receive waste material 

from large food and beverage 

companies. 

Closed Loop managing 

director Rob Pascoe says save- 

BOARD products will be the 

lowest carbon footprint interior 

and exterior board products on 

the market. “It’s the perfect 

example of the circular economy 

in action.” 

Experience care as it 

should be, experience 

the Braemar way. 

Braemar Hospital is one of the largest 

private surgical hospitals in New Zealand, 

and it’s here in Hamilton. 

With more than 100 world class specialists, 

10 state-of-the-art operating rooms, 84 beds 

including 32 private rooms, at Braemar 

you’ll receive the highest level of care. 

Choose the very best. 

Choose Braemar. 

braemarhospital.co.nz


What has happened 

to Southern Links? 

Hamilton business 

takes out award 

What has happened to the big Southern Links highway 

project? Is it underway? The Peacocke part of the project 

most definitely is. 

If you are driving on SH3 into Hamilton 

or through Hillcrest to Cobham 

Drive you have to navigate the plethora 

of road cones that ensure the contractors 

are kept safe. The bridge over the 

Waikato is underway and it is great to see 

real progress is being made there. 

But the real game changer for the 

Waikato has always been Southern Links 

highway which will be transformative to 

the Waikato transport network. Despite 

being one of the major projects touted for 

significant central government funding, 

and one that would be a game changer 

for New Zealand’s productivity, it seems 

the project has disappeared without trace. 

The latest update on Waka Kotahi’s 

website (https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/southern-links/) 

was published in 

November 2018. Since then, nothing of 

note has been forthcoming. 

Southern Links highway is the missing 

part of the metro Hamilton transport 

network. It redefines Waikato transport 

links, connecting the north of Hamilton, 

around to the west then south past the 

airport, to connect with SH3 as well as 

linking to the Waikato Expressway. 

It is a key part of the wider New Zealand 

freight network and will link the 

large employment areas in the north and 

west of Hamilton to the growing employment 

areas around the Airport and further 

south to Te Awamutu. 

If you regularly drive along Kahikatea 

Drive and then cross to Cobham 

Drive to go south, this project will ease 

your tremendous congestion issues. It 

will provide a quicker, safer conduit for 

all our logistics companies and offer the 

industrial companies based out the north 

and west of Hamilton an easier route to 

shift their goods and services south or 

east to the port of Tauranga. 

Without Southern Links highway the 

Waikato Expressway has the potential 

to have an even larger congestion point 

at the two heavily over-used Hillcrest 

roundabouts and the new Tamahere onramp 

interchange currently being built as 

part of the Waikato Expressway and due 

for completion at the end of the year. 

WHAT’S 

ON 

AT THE CHAMBER 

By Don Good, Waikato Chamber 

of Commerce executive director 

Perhaps most importantly, the highway 

will open up a tremendous amount 

of land for development, some to the 

west in Waipā, some close to the Peacocke 

development and a lot more 

around Hamilton Airport – all at a time 

when Hamilton seems to be running out 

of developable land. 

The Airport is attracting a lot of praise 

for its industrial and commercial developments, 

especially from those who wish 

to own rather than lease their land. Its location 

is ideally suited for businesses that 

require quick and easy transport links to 

all points of the globe. The likes of Torpedo 

7 were amongst the first to set up 

their distribution centre there and many 

have followed suit. The combination 

of air, road and close rail links give it 

a unique selling proposition and further 

cements the Waikato as New Zealand’s 

logistics centre. 

Congestion kills arterial routes and is 

a killer for transport companies and their 

clients, not to mention the general travelling 

public. For the Waikato to prosper as 

a logistics hub it needs Southern Links 

highway to be completed as soon as possible, 

and that starts with getting it back 

on Waka Kotahi’s radar. 

LUNCH & LEARN: Are your 

employment documents up 

to standard? Thursday 1 April, 

12.00pm - 1.00pm, Events Room 2, 

Gallagher Hub, Wintec City 

Campus, FREE for members. 

INSPIRE: A Chat with Brian 

White Wednesday 7 April, 

6.45am - 8.00am, The Long Room, 

Wintec City Campus, FREE. 

BA4: Waikato Real Estate Thursday 22 April, 4.00pm - 6.00pm, 

757 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, FREE. 

WRC LONG TERM PLAN DISCUSSION 

Thursday 8 April, 10.00am - 11.00am, Events Room 2, Gallagher Hub, 

Wintec City Campus, FREE. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: 07 839 5895 

help@waikatochamber.co.nz www.waikatochamber.co.nz/events 

Family-owned Waikato 

Real Estate has become 

the first property management 

business from the region 

to be awarded the LPMA Property 

Management Company of 

the Year title, edging out competition 

from both Australia 

and America, as well as from 

New Zealand. 

Announced and presented at 

a recent online ceremony hosted 

by Leading Property Managers 

Association (LPMA), the annual 

award recognises the most outstanding 

property management 

business with all aspects of the 

business and its management 

taken into account. 

LPMA’s Adam Hooley says 

Waikato Real Estate was “an 

absolute stand-out winner”. 

WRE also took out Excellence 

in Property Management 

and Industry Contribution 

Award. Waikato Real Estate 

specialises in property management, 

headed by company 

founder Michael Murray, and 

his daughter Michelle Pearson 

and husband Oliver Pearson. 

The business has also been a 

Westpac Waikato Business 

Awards finalist, and has a focus 

on continued in-house growth 

and development. 

“Winning these awards in 

such a challenging year means 

so much to myself and the 

team,” says WRE manager 

Michelle Pearson. 

“We used last year’s lockdown 

to thoroughly audit the 

business, and when we emerged 

from Level 4 we systematically 

implemented new technology, 

adopted industry best practices 

and continuously benchmarked 

our service standards against our 

industry Property Management 

peers in the LPMA community. 

“We’re the first Waikato 

business to win the Property 

Management Company of the 

Year award – being locally 

owned and Waikato focused, 

we are thrilled to continue representing 

and promoting our 

region today.” 

NEW SPONSOR 

SOUGHT 

The Waikato Chamber of 

Commerce is seeking 

expressions of interest to 

be the new principal sponsor for 

the Waikato Chamber of Commerce 

Business Awards. 

A highlight of the business 

calendar, the awards recognise 

achievement, growth and innovation 

across Waikato’s business 

community. 

Westpac NZ head of commercial 

relationships Hamish 

Ward said the bank is proud to 

have been the naming rights 

sponsor for the past 21 years. 

“We’ll continue to be strong 

advocates for recognising and 

celebrating business success in 

our wonderful region,” Ward 

said. 

“We’re working with the 

Chamber on a new programme 

where together we can continue 

to support Waikato businesses, 

and will have more details in the 

coming months.” 

Waikato Chamber of Commerce 

chief executive Don 

Good thanked Westpac for their 

support. 

“We look forward to continuing 

our partnership with 

Westpac in other ways,” Mr 

Good said. 

Time to celebrate: Waikato Real estate business 

development manager Michelle Pearson, director Michael 

Murray and general manager Cherie Osbaldiston 

“We are now looking to partner 

with someone who will help 

continue to drive the awards 

over the next few years, to further 

elevate the platform and 

help us recognise the incredible 

businesses and people achieving 

in the wider Waikato business 

community.” 

JOINT VENTURE 

FOR CBD 

DEVELOPMENT 

Tainui Group Holdings 

(TGH) and Kiwi Property 

have announced the formation 

of a 50:50 joint venture 

over Centre Place North in central 

Hamilton, paving the way 

to create refreshed retail experiences 

and a proposed office 

development. 

The agreement is set to bring 

certainty and new energy to the 

revitalisation of Centre Place 

North, including exploring ways 

to reactivate one of the country’s 

first underground train stations, 

which sits mothballed beneath 

the centre. 

Linda Te Aho, chair of Te 

Arataura, the executive committee 

of Waikato-Tainui, said 

the iwi is pleased to play a key 

role in the rejuvenation of the 

Kirikiriroa-Hamilton CBD. 

“It’s pleasing to have reached 

a shared vision for how Centre 

Place North can contribute to a 

vibrant, modern and safe inner 

city. This is important whenua 

for us and it’s great to have the 

opportunity to shape the above 

ground presence for this property 

for generations to come,” 

she said. 

The Centre Place North joint 

venture extends the partnership 

between TGH and Kiwi 

Property which dates back to 

May 2016, when Kiwi Property 

acquired a 50 percent share of 

The Base. 

TGH CEO Chris Joblin said 

they are excited by the potential. 

“Building on our experience of 

working together as co-owners 

of The Base, we want to bring a 

100-year view and some visionary 

thinking to create something 

vibrant and special to accelerate 

the ongoing transformation of 

the CBD.” 

Kiwi Property CEO Clive 

Mackenzie said they are 

delighted to be working with 

TGH to create a mixed-use destination. 

“With its pivotal location 

in the Hamilton CBD, Centre 

Place North has the potential 

to bring together an attractive 

retail, office and perhaps even 

residential offering.” 

The new joint venture for 

Centre Place will take an initial 

pre-paid 100-year ground lease, 

with the underlying whenua 

remaining in the ownership of 

Waikato-Tainui, including the 

land transferred to iwi ownership 

from beneath the existing 

carpark which was owned by 

Kiwi Property. 

• Waikato-Tainui has 

appointed fund management 

expert Rebecca Thomas 

as an independent director 

of Tainui Group Holdings 

(TGH), the commercial 

investment arm of the 

iwi. Thomas will replace 

Sir Henry van der Heyden 

as a sitting independent 

board member who is 

due to retire by rotation in 

April after serving on the 

Board for nine years.

Andrew South and Grant Edwards 

Urban Homes 

celebrate new base 

They had to contend with unexpected asbestos and an equally 

unexpected pandemic during their build, but the result is a bold 

new building for Urban Homes, who are now well established in 

their headquarters on the corner of London and Anglesea Streets. 

The distinctive building, 

with its glass casing, 

large electronic billboard 

and huge K braces will 

future proof the company’s 

continuing growth. 

Director Daniel Klinkenberg 

paid tribute to architects 

Edwards White and main contractor 

Foster Construction at 

a co-hosted event supported 

by the Property Council, NAI 

Harcourts and the Hamilton 

Central Business Association, 

which included tours 

of the building taking in its 

impressive design studio. 

Klinkenberg said it was 

an exciting time. “Our vision 

was to create an environment 

where our team loved to work, 

and where there's a real energy 

and passion for what we do to 

deliver an amazing experience 

for our clients.” 

Urban Homes purchased 

the building in mid 2018, and 

work started in early 2019 

before abruptly being halted 

for the removal of asbestos. 

Progress restarted in October 

2019 before being halted again 

because of Covid-19. Finally, 

the Urban team moved in in 

September 2020. 

The former AMI building 

was originally constructed in 

1956 as a two storey concrete 

structure with two further storeys 

added 11 years later. 

The architects wanted 

to strip the building back 

back to reveal its original 

concrete structure behind 

external glazing. 

“We wanted to let that 

[concrete] be the feature, be 

expressed in the building,” 

Kim Burgess, Shima Sheybani Aghdam and Emily Cleland. 

said architect Grant Edwards. 

“So you can now see the original 

concrete structure through 

the glazing on the outside. We 

chose to push the glass on the 

upper levels out past the original 

structure to reveal that 

original building much like a 

glass case in a museum reveals 

an artefact.” 

Challenges included the 

need to gain a licence to 

occupy airspace, with the original 

building already over the 

boundary on two sides and the 

new facade extending further 

out. The large signage also 

presented a challenge when it 

came to gaining consents. 

Along the way, structural 

engineers BCD Group boosted 

the earthquake rating from 14 

percent to 80 percent. 

James Parrott, from 

Edwards White Architects, 

said the collaborative approach 

Daniel Klinkenberg and Vaughan Heslop. 

had been core to the building’s 

success. 

“I think one of the big things 

to come out of the whole project 

was everybody having that 

collaborative idea and working 

and resolving the issues 

as they popped up and making 

sure that they were doing 110 

percent,” he said. “You can't 

execute a great result without 

having lots of people's input.” 

Commercial Property 

Management & Valuations 

At Bayleys, we believe relationships are what businesses are built on and how they succeed. 

We understand that to maximise the return on your property you need: 

Professional property management 

Expert valuation advice 

A business partner that understands your views and goals 

Mike Gascoigne 

Branch Manager 

P 07 834 6690 M 027 430 8311 

mike.gascoigne@bayleys.co.nz 

Curtis Bones 

Senior Commercial Property Manager 

P 07 834 3826 M 027 231 3401 

curtis.bones@bayleys.co.nz 

James Harvey 

Commercial Facilities Manager 

P 07 839 0700 M 027 425 4231 

james.harvey@bayleys.co.nz 

Matt Straka 

Registered Valuer 

P 07 834 3232 M 021 112 4778 

matt.straka@bayleys.co.nz 

ALTOGETHER BETTER 

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services


Workers - they are 

all critical now! 

Many New Zealand employers face significant skills shortages, 

and recruiting for these skills in the current market, and with the 

border closed, is proving to be highly challenging. 

Employers currently have 

little option but to headhunt 

within New Zealand 

for the skills they need for 

the work on hand and have little 

choice but to pay the additional 

and necessary premium. 

The bigger companies, which 

have more “clout”, are winning 

this skills battle, putting 

real pressure on many of the 

SMEs to do whatever they can 

to retain their key staff. This 

situation is not just confined 

to highly-skilled roles. The 

horticulture industry, in particular, 

has been badly impacted 

by the lack of available workers 

for which the only relief 

appears to be a Pacific Island 

travel bubble (which, when it 

happens, will come too late for 

many). 

The dream of pay-parity 

with Australia, where wages 

are 30% higher than New 

Zealand, is long gone and 

with Australian employers 

also facing the same border 

restrictions as New Zealand 

the reach of the “lucky country” 

presents as another major 

challenge to New Zealand 

employers looking to retain 

their higher-skilled staff. 

With the border closed, and 

the minimum hourly pay rate 

increasing to $20 effective 

from 1 April, the Government 

is delivering on its desire to 

see the average pay of New 

Zealanders increase. The cost 

of labour is rising quickly, but 

with no resulting productivity 

gains this will simply manifest 

itself in additional costs for all 

New Zealanders. However, 

with the days of cheap labour 

coming to an end, businesses 

will now be more highly motivated 

to invest in labour-saving 

technology and practices 

which will, hopefully, serve 

to finally boost New Zealand’s 

low productivity levels. 

The Government focus on 

upskilling and retraining New 

Zealanders to fill this skills 

shortage is, and has always 

been, absolutely needed, but 

this takes time and requires 

a long-term commitment by 

everyone involved. In the 

meantime, New Zealand 

employers who need those 

critical skills to operate and 

grow their businesses have little 

choice but to compete in the 

local market for the limited talent 

available, and to see what 

they can “squeeze” through the 

border. 

Yes, the New Zealand border 

is closed but there is still 

the ability to get “other critical 

workers” into the country. 

There is a high threshold 

for such border entry and, of 

the 2,900 requests made by 

employers some 1,580 (55%) 

Richard Howard 

have been successful and have 

enabled 6,700 workers to enter 

New Zealand as “other critical 

workers”. Well over half of 

these workers had roles related 

to research and development, 

fisheries, and sport and recreation 

(e.g.: America’s Cup, 

international cricket etc). 

New Zealand remains a 

highly attractive, and safe, 

country to live and work in, 

and while wages are important 

they are not the most important 

consideration for migrant 

workers who choose New Zealand 

– these have always been 

about family and lifestyle, and 

now we can add our COVID 

free status. 

Getting critical workers 

from overseas is possible 

so don’t give up on this 

option just yet! 

Jimmy the Jack Russell (#jimmyonthejob) is all attention, with owner Senga Allen 

Six60 first of many, 

organisers hope 

Organisers hope to line up further outdoor concerts at Claudelands, 

following the success of the Six60 gig on February 27. 

Sean Murray, Hamilton 

City Council’s general 

manager of venues, 

tourism and major events, 

said they limited the crowd 

size to 25,000 but could 

have comfortably managed 

30,000 for the concert, which 

he said attracted “zero noise 

complaints”. 

Murray said H3, which 

is a standalone unit that 

operates Claudelands, Seddon 

Park and FMG Stadium 

Waikato, hoped to line up one 

or two such concerts annually 

at the Claudelands Oval. 

He was speaking at a 

Waikato Chamber of Commerce 

BA4 event, held at the 

recently refurbished Grandstand 

venue at Claudelands. 

Murray said Claudelands 

was still in good condition 10 

years after it first opened. He 

said about 220,000 people a 

year use the venue, while in 

total across all H3 venues an 

ordinary year would see about 

550,000 - which had taken a 

100,000 hit following Covid. 

“Otherwise things have been 

travelling extremely well for 

the venues,” he said. 

“And for us to have finally 

cracked getting an outdoor 

concert at Claudelands 

has been a really big 

milestone for us.” 

H3 team, from left, Karl Johnson, Linda Kelly, Leanne Jack, 

Sean Murray, Brooke Murphy, Carol Brien and Melissa Williams 

Sarah Hogan, Penny Covic, 

David Covic and Paula Sutton 

Rodney Lewis and Scott Laurence 

Level 2 

586 Victoria Street 

Hamilton 3204 

Level 3 

50 Manners Street 

Wellington 6011 

Helen Jarman and Rob Bull 

Scott Pearce, Nick Dinan and Cohen Burkhart 

07 834 9222 

enquiries@pathwaysnz.com 

pathwaysnz.com 

Mike Crawford and Don Good 

Graham Roberts and Ron Mulder


13 

Students catch the engineering buzz 

Claudelands Exhibition Centre is swarming 

with more than 100 secondary school 

students. Groups of them cluster around 

screens or engineering equipment. 

Most are engrossed as 

they look, listen and 

join in the activity. 

They’re having fun but there’s 

a serious aspect to this event, 

the inaugural STEM Hub for 

year 11-13 students. 

In one corner of the hall, 

a group of students are being 

shown how powerlines work. 

“Say the power is off and 

you're working on it, what do 

you do next?” Taylor Horwood 

from Ventia asks. 

The answer, a little slow in 

coming, is to earth the wires 

before working on them. 

As the students are shown 

up close the ins and outs of 

staying safe when the power is 

out, Horwood explains that the 

intention is to get them hands 

on with equipment that they 

see everywhere around them 

but probably don't know about. 

Ventia, which operates in 

Australia and New Zealand, 

has three stations where it 

is showing students its UAV 

inspections for Transpower, 

as well as work for Vector 

and Orion, and installation of 

cabling for Ultra Fast Fibre. 

They want to make the students’ 

experience as interactive 

as possible. “We brought hardware, 

the toys, the stuff we'd 

like to work with,” Horwood 

says. 

Nearby, at the BCD Group 

station, Hinemanu Barclay-Kerr 

from Ngā Taiātea 

Wharekura has been speed 

building, using wooden rods, 

with three other girls. Their 

tower doesn’t free-stand at the 

end but Hinemanu says it was a 

good experience anyway. The 

year 11 student’s best subject 

Civtec CEO Pele Tanuvasa talks to students 

is biology. 

“I really enjoy science and 

I wanted to come today to get 

a feel of the things I could do,” 

she says before heading off to 

the next 15 minute rotation. 

Standing nearby, supporting 

the students and helping make 

sure the event runs smoothly, 

is Sam Nonoa, Puatala programme 

manager. 

Pacific-owned training 

organisation Puatala has joined 

with Kudos Science Trust to 

offer the two-day event, building 

on their relationships with 

engineering firms around the 

Waikato and beyond. 

It is aimed at Māori, Pasifika 

and female students from 

low-decile schools around the 

region, and about 250 students 

will attend, 125 each day. 

“It's just giving students 

an opportunity to see what's 

out there in terms of trade, the 

engineering space, the electrical, 

because these are low 

decile schools, and not many 

of them get the opportunities 

to get along and see what's out 

there,” Nonoa says. 

They can do more than 

that; if they really like the 

look of one of the businesses 

there are internship forms they 

can fill out. “If they're interested, 

we'll make contact, and 

then we'll just see where they 

want to head in some of these 

businesses.” 

This event is a first, with 

funding through the 

Ministry for Pacific Peoples, 

and the Minister, Aupito 

William Sio, is in attendance 

today. Puatala HR and project 

manager Alana Tyrell, who has 

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at the event 

St John’s students Kamho Binoka and Tamakura Kingi 

helped organise the event, says 

it is intended as a hands-on, 

practical expo with two main 

aims. The first is to try to ignite 

interest in showing students 

how maths and science relate 

to the trades and particularly 

into a career in engineering. 

“The other aim is really 

exposing them to the role models 

and opportunities from real 

industry experts. And I think 

that's probably the key thing, 

because you know, as kids or 

young people, they can only 

really aspire to be something, 

depending on what they see or 

hear. 

“They will actually get a 

taste of electrical engineering, 

mechanical engineering, civil/ 

commercial engineering.” 

Roger Cox, who is also 

lending a hand on the day, says 

it follows a Science Spinners 

event for younger students 

organised by Kudos, a Waikato 

organisation which has a focus 

on attracting students into science. 

Cox, a Kudos trustee 

and former head of science at 

Fairfield College, says the students 

at STEM Hub are being 

offered opportunities they 

wouldn’t get in school. 

“It's giving the kids an 

opportunity to experience 

industry. And they can actually 

see where the science is that's 

behind some of those industries.” 

He points out the stand 

for Waikato company Civtec, 

which installs ultra fast fibre. 

“These are the guys who 

are going out and doing the 

fibre-optic cable installations, 

and you can actually see what 

their technicians and their guys 

are having to do. So our students 

who are coming through 

here will get a hands-on experience, 

a feel for what it's really 

like to do that job. 

“For us, that's a wonderful 

opportunity that we haven't 

ever had before.” 

When it comes to attracting 

more young women, Māori 

and Pasifika into engineering, 

Cox says students tend still 

to be attracted to the things 

they’ve always been attracted 

to. “But we're trying to even 

out that playing field a little bit 

by providing the lower decile 

schools and Māori and Pasifika 

opportunities that otherwise 

they might not have.” 

A 

little later in the morning 

at the BCD Group 

station, Adam Langsford 

says a couple of student 

groups have managed to construct 

two 2m-plus wooden-rod 

towers that stayed 

free-standing. 

He says they were from 

the same school, so friendly 

rivalry may have played a part. 

Langsford, a structural engineer, 

says the students are loving 

it. They have fun while also 

learning along the way. “A few 

are wallflowers but they get 

into it by the end.” 

For BCD, a Hamilton-based 

engineering, planning and surveying 

firm, an event like this 

is an opportunity to nurture 

young talent and attract people 

who are interested in building 

and construction. 

“There are so many jobs in 

the industry, the boom keeps 

going. But regardless, we're 

always going to need infrastructure 

and improve what 

we've got. So it's really trying 

to find people who will be the 

next wave and continue the 

legacy.” 

Langsford is supportive 

of the event’s focus on girls, 

Māori and Pasifika from low 

decile schools. “The more 

diversity and the more connections 

we have, and the 

more people from the community 

that want to construct 

Benny Huang and Grainne Frizzell 

from Southbase Construction 

with us, the better.” 

They are just one of a dozen 

firms displaying their wares 

and engaging with the next 

generation, covering civil/ 

commercial, mechanical and 

electrical engineering. 

The more diversity 

and the more 

connections we 

have, and the more 

people that from the 

community want to 

construct with us, the 

better. 

Also among them is Southbase 

Construction, where the 

students are using tablets to 

explore the company’s construction 

methods. 

“They're utilising our 

technology to see inside the 

doors of some of the projects 

that we're working on at the 

moment to understand how 

technology is becoming very 

much part of the construction 

industry,” says HR specialist 

Grainne Frizzell. “I think it's 

important for students as well 

to understand how technology 

is changing every industry at 

the moment.” 

St John’s College Pasifika 

dean Di Lyons has 

brought eight boys along 

to the event, selecting those she 

knew were strong in science 

She says there are very 

few events of this type aimed 

at Māori and Pasifika, and 

believes it’s important that 

they are encouraged to engage. 

“There's a lot of talk about 

‘this is what we need to do’, 

but there's very little on the 

ground, hands-on stuff that's 

relevant. So this is brilliant,” 

she says. 

“The boys need to see 

you've got to start somewhere. 

To me, as long as it plants the 

seed, then we can keep nurturing 

that, then it's going to grow 

into something.” 

Two of the boys she has 

brought along, Tamakura Kingi 

and Kamho Binoka, have just 

been at the Turn It station. 

“We've just been focusing 

on the engineering and pipes 

and how everything works,” 

says Tamakura, who is year 11. 

They have 15 minute sessions 

at each station. “It's actually 

quite good,” he says. “You 

learn many different things - it 

could be technology, could be 

piping or plastic.” 

The plastic has been the 

most interesting, seeing what it 

is made from and how much of 

it people go through in a year. 

He is eyeing up a career in 

physiotherapy, and is unsure 

whether the event will change 

his mind. “It’s a good day so 

far.” 

For Kamho, a year 12 student, 

the most interesting station 

was the one where they 

were shown the components 

inside a PC. “And then instead 

of having to go to the computer 

shop to fix it, just replace one 

part, and that'll save you tonnes 

of money.” 

He is interested in an aviation 

career. “But looking at all 

these other career paths' potential 

is pretty cool. And, you 

know, I might change my mind 

as well. The main goal is aviation, 

but looking at all these is 

good to keep in the back of my 

mind.” 

The quarter hour’s up, 

and it’s time to move to 

the next station. Civil, 

mechanical, electrical - it’s 

a world of opportunity for 

these youngsters.

Hunt and Gather honey 

There is a really 

good support 

network in Raglan 

and we aren’t afraid 

to give things a go 

even if we don’t 

really know what’s 

going to come out 

of it. People like to 

see other people 

having a go at 

something and they 

like to support it. 

Hannah O’Brien with Amanda Graham at Hunt and Gather 

Raglan food producers 

show the way forward 

Call it brand Raglan, the name with selling power. 

That doesn’t come from 

nothing; it has taken a 

healthy dollop of collaboration 

that existed long 

before everyone was urged to 

support local in the Covid-19 

lockdown recovery. 

And Raglan food producers 

are flourishing, thanks in 

no small part to that cooperative 

approach. 

Among them, Raglan Food 

Co has launched a dairy-free 

kefir drink and has a fresh 

product in the pipeline for a 

mid-year launch, while Hunt 

and Gather Bee Co reports 

increasing honey sales and is 

eyeing fresh export markets. 

Now the Raglan food story 

is being brought to the business 

world in a new venture. 

The creation of Raglan 

woman Amanda Graham, 

Meet the Makers showcases 

some of the best of Raglan to 

out of towners from Hamilton 

and further afield. 

Graham started it in April 

last year because of a need she 

could see from corporates or 

conference groups wanting to 

do something different out of 

Hamilton. 

She put together a taste 

tour, typically including 

Raglan Food Co, along with 

Soul Food Farms, Dream 

View Creamery and Hunt and 

Gather. 

Graham has been spoiled 

for choice in a town where 

every product seems to have 

its own artisan producer. Also 

included in a mini walking 

tour of Raglan are the artisan 

bakery, the Herbal Dispensary, 

chocolate cafe La La 

Land, Raglan Roast coffee and 

Workshop Brewing Company. 

Raglan is a fascinating 

place with some great people 

with stories to tell, she says. 

“We've got Jess at Dreamview 

Creamery, all of 24 

years old, who's set up on 

her parents’ farm the Dreamview 

Creamery milk bottling 

product. And [there are] 

people who have developed 

from working in their garage 

to working in a container 

to building a factory.” 

Graham has many years’ 

experience as a conference 

organiser, with most recently 

a five-year stint as a business 

events manager with Hamilton 

& Waikato Tourism. “Part 

of that role has been showcasing 

the region to groups who 

are interested in holding their 

conferences here. So that's 

very much my specialist subject, 

the conference and corporate 

markets, but coupled 

with my love of food and fashion, 

and art, [this] just seemed 

like an opportunity for me to 

develop my passion.” 

She is looking to put on 

a couple of regular monthly 

tours, as well as bespoke 

events, and business is good 

for Graham, who has had to 

focus on the domestic market 

after the Covid-driven collapse 

of international visitors. 

If anything, she says, 

the conference and corporate 

market is stronger at 

the moment because of the 

wellbeing component. 

Kefir - 

Natural and Green Apple 

“I think there's lots of 

potential for corporates 

ex-Hamilton and ex-Auckland 

to come out and have team 

days where we can create 

something special for them as 

well as obviously the conference 

groups who are here for 

their conferences.” 

Meanwhile, Raglan Food 

Co is following the launch 

early this year of its coconut-based 

kefir drink, made 

possible by its shift last year 

into a purpose-built factory at 

Nau Mai Business Park, with 

a likely mid-year launch of a 

condiment. 

The business, formerly 

Raglan Coconut Yoghurt, 

famously got its start in 2014 

after Randall started promoting 

surplus jars of the product 

on a local Facebook noticeboard, 

and has been supported 

by locals ever since. 

“Without the Raglan community 

we wouldn't have a 

business,” she says. “It has 

literally fallen out of community, 

and then everyone was so 

supportive the whole way.” 

Randall says Raglan Food 

Co supports newer businesses 

in turn, including giving 

advice to Workshop Brewery 

when they were looking to 

expand. 

“What goes around, comes 

around,” Randall says. “It’s a 

very collaborative, friendly 

place.” 

Similarly, Hunt and Gather’s 

Hannah O’Brien says they 

are seeing continuing solid 

growth and have big plans for 

2021. 

She says the family business 

is looking to catch the 

kānuka honey wave, which 

she describes as an interesting 

up-and-comer that has 

become their biggest seller in 

the domestic market. 

Last year they began stocking 

their honeys through the 

Farro Fresh chain in Auckland, 

and have also begun 

supplying New Worlds. 

O’Brien says, with 45-50 

stockists, they are looking at 

export markets among other 

plans for 2021. It didn’t hurt 

that they featured on Country 

Calendar last year. 

“We had a nice spike in 

sales and that's generated a 

lot of new customers for us, 

which has been really cool.” 

O’Brien thinks Raglan has 

become a brand of its own. “I 

think it really follows largely 

in the footsteps of Raglan 

Roast. I think a lot of people 

saw the success that they had, 

and they really played on the 

Raglan thing. So it's quite a 

nice thing to associate with 

your business, it's got quite a 

good reputation. 

Like Randall, O’Brien has 

embraced the collaborative 

approach, helping found the 

Producers Collective as part 

of Waikato Food Inc, and is 

also very much part of the 

Raglan community. 

“There is a really good 

support network in Raglan 

and we aren't afraid to give 

things a go even if we don't 

really know what's going to 

come out of it. People like to 

see other people having a go 

at something and they like to 

support it.” 

Work begins on Cobham Drive overbridge 

Columns for a Cobham 

Drive overbridge are 

being constructed 

and earthworks continue as 

Hamilton’s first full diamond 

interchange heads for its final 

building phase. 

The intersection with Wairere 

Drive will see the completion 

of Hamilton’s Ring Road, 

while also opening up access 

to Peacocke and potentially the 

Southern Links. 

The overbridge will see 

Cobham Drive raised six 

metres with a total length of 

about 36 metres, allowing 

Wairere Drive traffic to pass 

under it. 

The on and off ramps, 

already constructed, are currently 

being used by motorists 

to keep traffic flowing during 

the final phases of the $59 million 

project, which is about 

75 percent funded by Waka 

Kotahi, NZTA. 

There will be lights-controlled 

intersections either side 

of Cobham Drive for on and 

off ramps. 

Hamilton City Council capital 

projects manager Chris 

Barton is pleased with progress. 

“We haven't really had 

any major issues or concerns 

in terms of the travelling public. 

“Part of the construction 

planning around this final 

section is we really wanted to 

build the off road sections first, 

so that would keep the traffic 

moving through it.” 

The final section of the 

Ring Road, from Cambridge 

Road to Cobham Drive will be 

completed by contractors Fulton 

Hogan in time for a likely 

May opening next year. 

Cobham Drive is part of 

SH1 and one of Hamilton’s 

busiest routes, with the overbridge 

set to take 35,525 vehicles 

daily in 2022, rising to 

38,105 in 2041. Meanwhile, 

the Wairere Drive part of the 

interchange is projected to 

take 15,200 daily in 2022 and 

23,000 in 2041. 

Early work is underway for the Cobham Drive 

overbridge, shown in this photo looking north.


15 

Monthly reporting 

you can rely on 

If you complete monthly reporting for your 

business, then you are to be congratulated 

as it is such a proactive way of managing 

your business. 

Structured reporting gives 

you timely information, 

and it allows you to break 

down your annual results into 

more bite-sized chunks, so 

you can focus on achieving 

monthly goals. 

If you focus solely on the 

end of year results, you may 

be missing the opportunity to 

increase your profit throughout 

the year. The problem is that 

by the time your end of year 

accounts are completed, you 

are more than likely 15 months 

down the track from the start 

of that financial year. 

However, if you are going 

to rely on monthly management 

reports to track your 

progress, you need to ensure 

the reports are correct and 

timely. By this I mean: 

• There is a crisp cut off (the 

last day of the month). 

• Bank accounts are reconciled 

(relatively easy with 

cashbooks such as Xero and 

MYOB). 

• Suspense accounts are 

cleared out. 

• Invoicing for the month 

complete and Accounts 

Receivable balanced. 

• All Accounts Payable 

entered and reconciled. 

• Closing stock and Work In 

Progress (WIP) up to date 

and correct. 

• End of month adjustments 

(journals) completed. 

While your reconciled cashbook 

forms the foundation for 

monthly reports, it’s important 

to note that when your chartered 

accountant completes 

your end of year financials 

they will complete a series of 

journals to ensure the correct 

profit is reported for the 12 

months. These are usually 

referred to as balance day 

adjustments. The same applies 

for your monthly management 

accounts: a number of end of 

month adjustments (journals) 

need to be made to ensure the 

monthly profit is calculated 

correctly. 

Just think of a year broken 

up into 12 pots (12 months). 

Each pot (month) needs to 

reflect the income and expenses 

that relate to that month. 

While you make payments 

for expenses such as ACC, 

rates and insurance at various 

stages throughout the year, the 

expense will most probably 

relate to more than one month. 

For instance, rates may cover 

three months, ACC and insurance 

payments may cover 12 

months. Some expenses are 

paid in advance and others 

in arrears. An allowance for 

depreciation is another adjustment 

to monthly accounts. 

If you have staff, one of 

your biggest outgoings is 

likely to be wages and salaries 

– without making end of 

month adjustments, you will 

overstate your wages in some 

months and understate them 

in others. Let’s look at a very 

simple example to illustrate 

what I mean: 

You pay out approximately 

$15,000 per fortnight for 

wages 

During the month of April, 

you complete three pay runs on 

2 April, 16 April and 30 April 

Your cashbook will record 

this as 3 x $15,000 = $45,000 

for the month. 

With adjustments, the cost 

allocated for April would be 

more in the region of $32,500. 

[26 fortnights x $15,000, 

divided by 12 months] 

Note: this is just to explain 

the concept – in reality the 

calculation would be based on 

days and a little more exact! 

An adjustment for leave entitlements 

should also form part 

of this process. 

As another example: if you 

pay your business insurance in 

one lump sum of say $17,000, 

you should be allocating one 

twelfth (approx. $1,416) across 

the 12 months. 

You need to have confidence 

in the figures that are 

being reported and you need 

to receive the information in a 

timely manner. There should 

be a clear expectation of when 

the end of month reports are to 

be completed by, cut-off needs 

THE BUSINESS EDGE 

> BY BRENDA WILLIAMSON 

Brenda Williamson runs business advisory service 

Brenda Williamson and Associates www.bwa.net.nz 

to be crisp and you need to be 

notified when the information 

is ready for your review. If end 

of month hasn’t been finalised 

correctly, you may be looking 

at incomplete and incorrect 

reports. This can lead you up 

the garden path. 

Once you have mastered 

the end of month management 

accounts process (timely and 

correct), you can then start 

focusing on your suite of management 

reports including a 

dashboard with key performance 

indicators - something I 

will discuss later. 

This article is to provide 

you with the general idea of 

how end of month reporting 

works. Making adjustments 

(and reversals) correctly can be 

quite confusing so it would be 

best to speak with your advisor/accountant 

to establish a 

robust process to follow. 

Office expansions, recruitment drive, awards: 

law firm’s growth trajectory continues 

Jon Calder was watching the livestream 

of the NZ Law Awards in his Hamilton East 

home in December, gin in hand. 

The year prior Tompkins 

Wake had been named 

mid-size Law Firm of 

the Year and Jon had taken 

out Managing Partner (Chief 

Executive) of the Year in the 

Under 100 Lawyers category. 

The uncertainty of Covid 

put paid to an awards dinner. 

Instead, Jon and the Tompkins 

Wake partners watched the 

awards announcement from 

the comfort of their homes. As 

Jon was again named Managing 

Partner of the year, his 

wife Karina wandered by. But 

as Jon began to tell Karina 

the good news, the announcer 

moved on to the next category 

giving Karina the impression 

her husband had missed out 

on the award this time around. 

“There I am sitting there 

feeling pretty rapt and Karina 

gives me a hug and says, 

‘Oh well, you won it last year 

right. Never mind,’ and she 

walks off,” Jon says, laughing. 

Watching the livestream 

didn’t compare to previous 

years when a Tompkins Wake 

delegation has attended the 

awards ceremonies, but the 

feeling of accomplishment 

and camaraderie that brings 

about for the team was the 

same come Monday morning. 

For the second year in a 

row, Tompkins Wake had also 

been named the mid-size Law 

Firm of the Year. Fittingly, the 

firm also won Employer of 

Choice (51 to 100 Lawyers). 

The firm’s family-like culture 

is what got staff, spread 

across four offices, through 

lockdown with the reassurance 

that staff and their families’ 

wellbeing was the firm’s 

priority. 

“While income security 

enabled the team to focus on 

delivering for their clients, 

it also meant they could take 

care of their own mental and 

physical wellbeing,” Jon says. 

Measures put in place to 

take care of staff and maintain 

the strong, cohesive, collegial 

culture the firm has worked so 

hard to build over the past few 

years. 

“Underpinning our Covid 

response was our culture 

which puts our people front 

and centre. Pastoral care, 

and genuine concern for our 

people’s wellbeing was first 

and foremost the priority for 

the Partnership. Alongside 

other values, we are incredibly 

focused on providing our 

people with a great working 

environment and the support 

they need to succeed not 

Jon Calder CEO Tompkins Wake 

only in their roles, but also 

to thrive professionally and 

personally.” 

Indeed, the NZ Law 

Awards judges described Jon 

as “an exemplary leader who 

lives and breathes the firm’s 

core value of ‘people matter’ 

in every aspect of his work”. 

And it’s that people-first environment 

that continues to provide 

momentum for growth. 

The team has grown around 

30 per cent since October 

2018 under Calder’s leadership. 

That shows no signs of 

slowing. The firm’s presence 

in the Bay of Plenty is growing 

with appointments underway 

to further bolster the Rotorua 

and Tauranga offices. Tompkins 

Wake has just announced 

it is the naming rights sponsor 

for the Rotorua Business 

Awards for the next four years 

– the $100,000 investment 

testament to the firm’s commitment 

to the region. And 

the Auckland office is on the 

move. Having outgrown its 

current premises, staff there 

are moving to a larger office 

space on Shortland Street with 

room to expand the Auckland 

team to 55. 

The accolades have come 

thick and fast over the past 

few years with multiple 

awards and international recognition. 

But Jon is quick to 

point out that the awards and 

rankings belong to every single 

member of the firm. 

“I am incredibly proud of 

our people and the strength 

and resilience they've shown 

over the past year in supporting 

each other and delivering 

for our clients.” 

Tompkins Wake Partner 

and board chair Peter Fanning 

said some years ago the 

partnership decided to put 

an independent management 

regime in place which would 

free up the partners to do what 

they do best, and to bring in 

exceptional management to 

help steer the firm strategically 

and operationally. 

“The 2019 and 2020 NZ 

Law Awards are a vindication 

Peter Fanning Chairman of 

the Board Tompkins Wake 

of that decision,” Peter said. 

“We’re on a growth path 

and actively seeking out 

opportunities that are right 

for us. It’s the ‘right for us’ 

that is critical; we have a 

unique culture that is hard 

won, and we won’t compromise 

that just for the sake of 

continued growth.”


Leaders: hands-off social 

management is missing a trick 

PR AND COMMUNICATIONS 

> BY HEATHER CLAYCOMB 

Heather Claycomb is director of HMC Communications, a 

Hamilton-based, award-winning public relations agencys. 

If you’re a business owner or leader, 

I have a few questions for you: 

When’s the last time 

you visited your 

company’s social 

media sites? Are you inputting 

into the content being 

shared? Who makes the decision 

around what you share 

and do you trust them to represent 

your brand to the public? 

Is the person responsible 

for posting and monitoring an 

integral part of your team or a 

junior staffer far removed from 

the heart of your business? 

I ask these questions 

because I’ve found lately that 

many business leaders aren’t 

taking their social channels 

seriously. Frankly, some leaders’ 

views of social are stuck 

in 2010. They think of Facebook 

and Instagram as ‘something 

their kids waste time 

on’, Twitter as an American 

channel irrelevant in New Zealand 

and LinkedIn as nothing 

more than an online CV. 

If that sounds a bit like you 

(or your boss), keep reading. 

Here are just a few business 

goals social media can help 

you achieve. 

Sales 

A prolonged, persistent and 

strategically honed social 

media presence should be contributing 

to your bottom line. 

If it isn’t, you should be asking 

questions. 

Even if you are a not-forprofit 

and don’t ‘sell’ a product, 

your social media actions 

- adverts and non-paid posts 

- should still be contributing 

to your top organisational drivers. 

If they aren’t, I would tend 

to say either stop completely, 

or invest into making them 

work – why waste time on the 

middle ground? 

My caution here, however, 

is that you need to be in this for 

the long-term and get expert 

advice on how to move people 

through the online sales funnel. 

It’s a complex and technical 

process that requires expert 

advice, particularly when it 

comes to reaping a return on 

paid posts. And you also need 

to realise that sales rarely flow 

in from ‘day 1’. But a longterm, 

patient approach will pay 

dividends. 

Keep in mind that organic 

posts – those that are not 

adverts, non-paid – are still 

really important as your social 

channels work hand in hand 

with your website as an online 

‘shop front’. 

You need great content 

for people to find as they do 

their online research. But also 

remember that only around 5 

percent of your followers will 

see your non-paid posts. So, 

any serious social media strategy 

needs a small budget for 

advertising. 

Business 

development offshore 

Covid has trapped us all on this 

beautiful island! 

While we’re incredibly 

fortunate in many respects, as 

a nation of exporters we can’t 

get in front of customers and 

prospects offshore. 

While social media will 

never, ever replace a handshake 

and an in-person meeting, 

it can help bridge the 

gap while you wait for the 

borders to open. 

We’re helping a client at 

the moment to target new 

customers in California and 

Brazil through Facebook, 

LinkedIn and Twitter. Thanks 

to the power of targeting, it’s 

possible. 

Leadership reputation 

If you want to be perceived as 

a leader in your market, you 

need to demonstrate that leadership 

in places where your 

audiences ‘hang out’. 

Media publicity still plays 

a major role in a leadership 

PR strategy. And what you 

say and do online is equally 

important. 

Voicing your opinion 

on industry issues, starting 

conversations of importance to 

your audience, offering your 

perspective on topical news 

stories and more is a great way 

to make your social channels 

work for you to build profile 

and awareness of yourself and 

your company. 

So, if you haven’t visited 

your company’s social media 

sites in a while, go take a look. 

Does your content reflect your 

brand in the right way? 

Or do you think it’s time to 

hit the reset button, develop 

a serious strategy and tap 

into the power of these very 

important communications 

channels? 

Kiwis play part 

in remote control 

ventilators 

A 

team of innovative volunteers 

are tackling the 

Covid-19 pandemic 

head-on with the design and 

build of remote control ventilators. 

Trust director Alan 

Thomas is leading an international 

team from Auckland 

with trustee Michael Ilewicz in 

Germany. 

ArdenVent’s mission is to 

maximise the efficiency and 

effectiveness of the world’s 

medical workforce fighting 

Covid-19. 

This project is Kiwi ingenuity 

at its very best, solving the 

world’s problems with the perfect 

marriage of software and 

hardware. 

Company-X is backing 

the project, with senior software 

developer Mark Nikora 

volunteering his own time 

with Arden Auxiliary Medical 

Trust. We were thrilled 

to hear about the project, and 

will support Mark in whatever 

way we can. 

The web interface Mark is 

contributing to can be accessed 

from any internet connected 

device, meaning personal 

computers, smartphones and 

tablet computers can be used 

to save lives on the other 

side of the world. 

The trust is designing and 

building sophisticated lowcost 

ventilators to artificially 

respirate Covid-19 patients 

that can be operated and controlled 

from an internet connection 

anywhere in the world. 

This project demonstrates 

the internet of things in action. 

Remote control internet-connected 

ventilators 

allow someone in another 

country where the pandemic 

is less severe to operate the 

devices and help save lives. 

It also allows an operator 

who cannot risk exposure to 

Covid-19 because of their own 

health to keep a safe distance 

from a Covid-19 patient in hospital 

or their own home. 

The project aims to provide 

remote support to medical professionals 

in the parts of the 

world most affected by the 

pandemic. New Zealand colleagues, 

where the disease is 

under control, are hoped to be 

able to help patients where the 

medical system is overrun. 

The voluntary development 

team is based in New Zealand, 

the US and Switzerland. 

A year ago, in this column, I 

said the Coronavirus battle will 

be won with medical science 

and the latest technology. 

It’s heartening to see Kiwis 

playing their part in this battle. 

BOOK 

NOW! 

TECH TALK 

> BY DAVID HALLETT 

David Hallett is a co-founder and director of Waikato 

software development specialist Company-X.

EBBETT HAMILTON’S NEW HOME 


17 


open flagship 

Te Rapa dealership 

To say Ebbett Hamilton have made a 

splash with their shift to Te Rapa would 

be something of an understatement. 

Even on the first weekend 

they were moving into 

their new premises on 

Te Kōwhai East Road, before 

they officially opened, they 

were besieged by people curious 

about the exciting new 

building. 

Those people were getting 

the first view of a space that 

boasts space, light and an inviting 

feel that comes from meticulous 

attention to detail. 

“As soon as we started putting 

cars out the front it was 

just a magnet,” says Dealer 

Principal Karl Nation. “There 

were swarms of people. We had 

trucks and vans here unloading 

and all the doors open and people 

just wandering through.” 

The new showroom and 

yard feature the well-established 

Isuzu brand, GMSV 

(General Motors Specialty 

Vehicles), newer European 

brands CUPRA and SEAT, 

and an extensive array of second-hand 

Holdens and HSVs. 

Originally intended as a 

new site for Ebbett Holden 

Hamilton, on relocation from 

their Anglesea Street premises, 

the Group’s directors, Ben and 

Walter van den Engel, were 

able to put their own stamp 

on the building when Holden 

announced they were pulling 

out of New Zealand. 

However, rather than retreat 

entirely from the Holden brand 

which, as Nation says, goes 

with Ebbett like bread with 

butter, they have doubled down 

on supporting existing Holden 

owners, expanded on servicing 

and parts and are now also the 

national distributor for HSV 

parts. 

That sees them as probably 

the last dealer in the world to 

hoist the Holden monolith, 

which stands loud and proud at 

the street front. 

It also saw them deliberately 

purchase as many new 

and preowned Holdens as they 

could, with those cars now taking 

their place on the forecourt, 

along with GMSV, CUPRA, 

SEAT and a brand that returns 

to Ebbett, Isuzu. 

“We are really proud to 

welcome back Isuzu Utes, 

As soon as we 

started putting cars 

out the front here it 

was just a magnet. 

which, like Chevrolet, have 

been sold from Ebbett Hamilton 

in the earlier parts of our 

93 year history, and our used 

car selection here is second 

to none, especially if you are 

after a preowned Holden or 

HSV,” says Nation. 

Ebbett see a continuing 

place for Holden and plan to 

keep servicing and supplying 

parts for the marque well into 

the future, with opportunity 

opening up as other dealers 

pull back. 

“Some Holden dealers, 

after last year’s announcement, 

really stepped back. 

We’re trying to do the exact 

opposite, and come to the 

fore. If you’ve got any question 

in regards to Holden or 

HSV, we are the experts to 

support you,” Nation says. 

Continued on page 18 

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with our resource consenting expertise. 

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Karl Nation in the light and airy work shop. 

Ebbett Hamilton open flagship 


From page 17 

Among the changes the 

Group made to the building 

after Holden closed was repurposing 

the planned events 

space into a showroom for 

two new brands, SEAT and 

CUPRA (recently described as 

Audi with a VW price tag!). 

Ebbett have also changed 

the colour scheme, going with 

darker tones to create a more 

residential feel, reinforced 

by the relaxed furniture and a 

wall of plants above a central 

bench, with barista facilities 

for customers. 

Polished concrete floors and 

plenty of natural light combine 

to give the showroom an airy 

feel, and make the most of the 

vehicles on show, including a 

couple of classic Chevrolets. 

Giant structural angled 

beams with a timber finish also 

make a dramatic visual impact. 

There are touches of 

luxury and elegance, with 

photos hanging around the 

building to show Ebbett’s 

93-year history in Hamilton. 

This all comes after the 

directors backed themselves 

and their staff when faced 

with both the shock announcement 

in February last year of 

Holden’s closure and, within 

a month, the uncertainty of 

Covid-19. The directors put 

the building on hold for just 

two weeks to work out what 

they should do next and then 

the thought process was, “let’s 

back ourselves”. Nation says, 

“that was a vote of confidence, 

confidence in ourselves and 

confidence in our team. 

“The building has created 

an amazing vibe. As soon as 

we moved in, on the very first 

day, it just felt right,” Nation 

says. “The whole team came 

with us, and the uplift has 

been amazing.” 

As well as the two Spanish 

marques, SEAT and CUPRA, 

built by Volkswagen, they have 

also recently welcomed Isuzu 

to the group, with the brand’s 

D-Max utes and MU-X SUVs 

replacing Holden’s Colorado 

and SUV range. 

Ebbett have also partnered 

with GMSV (General Motors 

Specialty Vehicles). “American 

products: Silverado, 

Camaro and Corvette,” Nation 

says. “It will be niche top-end 

products.” 

Sales of SEAT and CUPRA, 

new brands to New Zealand, 

have already benefited from 

the shift to the new site, now 

selling in a week what they had 

been selling in a month. 

As for the much-anticipated 

shift to electric vehicles, with 

SEAT and CUPRA likely to 

be catching the wave early, 

future-proofing includes wiring 

for chargers already in 

place, while next door Ebbett 

Volkswagen already has a fast 

charge station. 

Also on site behind the 

Ebbett Hamilton building are 

West Hamilton Auto Refinishers 

and Tyre Tracks, two 

well established suppliers who 

Ebbett have used for decades 

and who have moved from 

Frankton. 

“You can definitely refer 

to this now as an automotive 

base” Nation says, “part of the 

bigger plan we had from the 

initial phase.” 

That attention to detail is 

seen everywhere in the new 

Tel: 07 849 9921 or email: hamilton@ckl.co.nz 

www.ckl.co.nz 

Congratulations to the 

team at Ebbetts on your 

new premises in Te Rapa



19 

The civil and structural design team at 

Gray Consulting Engineers Ltd are proud to 

be associated with the successful design, 

build and launch of Ebbett Hamilton. 

P 07 839 5225 | 52 Church Road, Hamilton | www.gcel.co.nz 

The building has 

created an amazing 

vibe. As soon as we 

moved in, the first 

day, it just felt right, 

all the staff came 

with us, and the 

uplift in the staff has 

been amazing. 

Lyndon and his team are proud 

to be associated with The Ebbetts 

Hamilton Development project. 

base that’s more than twice as 

big as Ebbett’s former Anglesea 

Street site. The building 

was designed by Chow:Hill 

architect Brian Rastrick, who 

Nation says has done an “outstanding” 

job. 

He had already designed the 

new Audi/Skoda dealership on 

Grey Street as well as the Volkswagen 

dealership next door 

to their new Te Rapa site, and 

Nation says he brought that 

knowledge to bear, particularly 

to customer flow. 

This translated into touches 

like an undercover drop-off 

area for protection when it’s 

raining, to the service reception 

adjoining the vehicle 

showroom, bringing the two 

areas much closer together. 

There is also a large driveway 

boulevard at the entrance off 

Te Kowhai East Road to make 

access easy for visitors. 

Meanwhile, the light-filled 

upstairs area is designed like a 

building within a building, and 

is where the head office for the 

Group is based. 

“It got a lot of influence 

from Ben and Walter,” Nation 

says. “Ben started at Ebbett 50 

years ago when he was 16 and 

has built a few dealerships in 

his life so brings a real knowledge 

of how good design can 


172 Ellis St, Hamilton 

P 07 847 9428 M 027 495 0284 

E lyndon.jones@xtra.co.nz 

www.lyndonjoneselectrical.co.nz 

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open flagship 


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Phone: 07-847 9882 

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From page 19 

improve customer and staff 

experience.” 

Also contributing to the 

success of the build were Foster 

Construction, who Nation 

says paid extraordinary attention 

to detail, making sure 

everything was done to an 

exceptional standard. 

“The Foster team have been 

absolutely brilliant, very welcoming, 

open to ideas and of 

course, a never-say-never attitude.” 

The service workshop is 

also a bright and airy space 

featuring generous natural 

lighting, continuing the theme 

of the showroom. 

With the site occupying 

about 2500 square meters, the 

workshop has six more bays 

and six more hoists than the 

previous premises. There is 

also an eight tonne hoist so 

they can service trucks and the 

likes of the GMSV Silverado. 

Two of the bays are set up 

for (in the future) “express 

service”, with a one-hour turn- 

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21 

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around so customers will be 

able to drop off their cars and 

perhaps wander through to the 

showroom for a coffee while 

they wait. 

The quick turnaround 

is achieved by creating 

more space around two of 

the hoists, enabling two 

technicians per car. 

Also, to keep the process 

Walter van den Engel and Karl Nation 

at the new Ebbett showroom 

moving, the workshop has 

two carwash bays rather than 

just one. 

Each service bay has a 

fan, heater, internet access 

and is highly personalised to 

the mechanic, including their 

name and the year they started 

with Ebbetts. 

“A lot of thought went into 

our workshop, a lot of attention 

to detail,” Nation says. 

“We were only going to build 

it once so it was really important 

we did it right!” 

Given their new Te Rapa 

location, visitors dropping 

off cars for a service can also 

choose to head to The Base 

nearby, particularly with the 

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CUPRA’s high-performance range 

confirmed for New Zealand in 2021 

Powerful CUPRA range 

coming together 

CUPRA arrived in New Zealand 

last year, with the sensational 

300hp CUPRA Ateca SUV. It 

proved to be as popular in this 

country, as it has been around 

the globe. Since then, CUPRA 

has developed a complete range 

of high-performance vehicles, 

based on contemporary 

design and sporty performance. 

CUPRA Ateca, the high-performance 

SUV; CUPRA Leon 

– available in both 5-door 

and Sportstourer variants; and 

CUPRA Formentor, the first 

model exclusively developed by 

the brand, a CUV with benefits 

of a performance car and with 

the qualities of an SUV. 

CUPRA hits the sweet spot 

with discerning consumers, 

who demand high build quality, 

lightning performance, quality 

finishing and world-class 

European engineering and 

design in one, sensibly priced, 

package. 

James Yates, CUPRA 

New Zealand’s General 

Manager, says 

FORMENTOR 

CUPRA Formentor 

The Formentor is both exceptional 

and unique amongst the 

Volkswagen Group. Usually, a 

new body shape is developed to 

be released across the group’s 

various marques. However, the 

Formentor was designed exclusively 

for CUPRA. 

The Formentor will be 

available in New Zealand with 

228kW, and 140kW 4Drive 

versions with a 150kW eHY- 

BRID (PHEV) expected later in 

2021. Pricing for the Formentor 

starts at $54,900 + on road costs 

(140kW) and goes to $68,900 + 

on road costs for the high-performance 

228kW version. No 

pricing is currently available 

for the eHYBRID variant. The 

Formentor CUV is based on the 

MQB Evo platform and carries 

a bold and modern design 

language that is sure to turn 

heads. The Formentor’s body 

tone resembles that of a rugged 

all-terrain vehicle, but the car’s 

exterior design features bring a 

lighter contrast to the vehicle’s 

silhouette. Inside the car, the 

Formentor greets its occupants 

with a panoramic 12” floating 

infotainment screen that completes 

the car’s digitally-driven 

design concept whether you 

are the driver or passenger. The 

Formentor has recently entered 

production for European markets, 

and it is made at the 

brand’s facilities in Martorell, 

on the outskirts of Barcelona. 

CUPRA Leon 

The CUPRA Leon hatch and 

CUPRA Leon Sportstourer 

expand the brand’s appeal 

even further, allowing customers 

to choose the vehicle 

that best fits their lifestyle; 

without needing to compromise 

on performance, comfort 

or practicality. Already 

an icon, the latest iteration of 

the high-performance compact 

car strengthens the brand, 

offering an outstanding driving 

experience. 

New Zealand’s growing 

affection for SUV’s, means 

there is a distinct shortage of 

exciting station-wagon models 

available – well, those 

priced well under $100,000 

anyway. The Leon Sportstourer 

is arguably the ultimate 

Kiwi lifestyle vehicle. 

Its 228kW 4Drive setup will 

LEON 

catapult the car safely from 

standstill to 100 km/h in less 

than 5 seconds. Thanks to its 

reduced height, it will offer a 

more dynamic driving experience 

than an SUV. 

The Leon shares the MQB 

Evo platform, allowing it to 

deliver the very best driving 

dynamics offered by Volkswagen 

Group. The Leon comes 

with Dynamic Chassis Control 

(DCC) with four different presets 

(Comfort, Normal, Sport 

and CUPRA) and the Sportstourer’s 

620L cargo space is 

considerably larger than its 

SUV and CUV siblings (485L 

in the Ateca and 420L in the 

Formentor). 

When the Leon models 

arrive in June, the hatch will 

be priced from $59,900 + 

on-road costs and the Sportstourer 

will be $65,900 + 

on-road costs. 

CUPRA. 

NICE TO 

MEET YOU. 

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT WITH CUPRA, 

AVAILABLE AT EBBETT HAMILTON. 

ATECA 

LET YOUR CURIOSITY GET THE BETTER OF YOU. 

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FEATURING FUTURE FACING TECHNOLOGY AND 

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$54,900+ORC 

WARRANTY ROADSIDE SERVICING 

5 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY 5 YEAR 24/7 ROADSIDE 3 OR 5 YEAR SERVICE PLANS 

*SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS



23 

Proud to be associated 

with Ebbett Hamilton’s 

new home 

ATECA 

CUPRA Ateca 2021 

The CUPRA Ateca was the 

flagbearer for the CUPRA 

high-performance brand. It 

offered a unique proposition 

in the market, bringing the 

highest performance of any 

SUV outside of the premium 

manufacturers. Its mix of precision, 

sportiness, practicality 

and alluring design made for 

an incomparable package, and 

a great success. 

In 2021 the new CUPRA 

Ateca will continue to disrupt 

the market, by defining what 

a high-performance compact 

SUV should deliver. Building 

on the groundwork already in 

place from its initial launch, 

CUPRA has increased its allure 

and desire adding new technologies 

and features. 

Its evolutionary exterior 

design has been updated, giving 

the CUPRA Ateca a more 

purposeful and confident look. 

Inside, the cabin benefits from 

increased levels of comfort, 

practicality and an enhanced 

design quality. The new 

CUPRA Ateca 2021 maintains 

its performance levels with the 

powerful 2.0-litre TSI engine 

connected to a quick-shifting 

seven-speed DSG transmission. 

The turbocharged four-cylinder 

unit produces 221kW (300PS) 

of power and 400Nm of torque, 

enough to reach 100km/h in 

just 4.9s from a standing start. 

The CUPRA Ateca 2021, 

priced at $66,900 + on-road 

costs, arrives on New Zealand 

shores during January. 

CUPRA’s success has driven it to 

expand its product range and this 

is truly exciting. If these three new 

models replicate the CUPRA Ateca’s 

success, we’ll be seeing a lot of car 

buyers in New Zealand re-thinking 

their badge allegiances. 

• Driveway and 

carpark construction 

• Cartage 

• Repairs 

• Siteworks 

• Drainage 

• Bulk excavation, 

demolition and 

siteworks 

• Tarsealing 

• All kerbing 

requirements 

20544LAC 

GRAND OPENING 

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APRIL 12 TH TO 30 TH 

PRE-OWNED 

VEHICLES ON SALE 

FREE NORTH 

ISLAND DELIVERY 

South Island Delivery can be arranged 

From 3% Finance 

No Deposit 

OR 

$3,000 

Cashback 

OR 

$3,000 Minimum 

Trade in 

AND 

FREE 3 Year Mechanical 

Protection Plan 

*See website for full terms and conditions 

47 - 51 Te Kowhai East Road, Hamilton, 3200 ebbetthamilton.co.nz 07 838 0949



CUPRA the official vehicle sponsor 

of musical trio, SOL3 MIO 

We’re excited to share our newly 

established partnership with SOL3 MIO, 

well known New Zealand musicians. 

The Trio have been given 

the opportunity to ride 

in style over the next 

12 months with three brand 

new CUPRA Ateca SUV’S. 

This vehicle partnership 

aligned with CUPRA and 

Sol3 Mio is one that we hope 

will help provide insight into 

the CUPRA range, allowing 

public curiosity as this brand 

is so fresh to the New Zealand 

automotive industry. 

The new CUPRA Ateca’s 

300hp engine goes from 

0-100km in just 4.9 seconds, 

has six versatile driving 

modes, a DSG automatic 

gearbox and AWD technology. 

An accentuated bonnet, 

full LEDs and distinct aluminum 

detailing. Topped off 

with optional Brembo brakes. 

SOL3 MIO are an operatic 

pop vocal trio from Auckland, 

New Zealand. Comprised of 

Samoan-descended brother’s 

Pene and Amitai Pati – both 

tenors – and their baritone 

cousin Moses Mackay, the 

group fuses classical, opera, 

and pop music with a playful 

wit and frequent nods to their 

Samoan heritage. 

Currently half way through 

their nationwide tour when 

COVID-19 hit, the boys have 

since managed to reschedule 

the rest of their touring dates 

for the month of April, so 

make sure you get to see them 

before they are back performing 

on stages overseas. 

We are so lucky to have 

world-class talent on our 

doorstep and are excited to 

continue this partnership with 

SOL3 MIO into the future. 

GA Pickford Roofing providing quality, innovative roofing in Waikato. 

The Team at GA Pickford Roofing are proud to be 

associated with Ebbett Hamilton’s new home 

111c Kent Street, Frankton 0800 766 3349 

205450AA



25 

New Zealand’s largest most 

respected national supplier of 

Concrete Products 

The panel and paint department 

are very proud to be a part of 

the Ebbett Group, Hamilton’s new 

Automotive Base. 

Thanks Ben and Walter for taking us 

on this journey. 

How can we help? 

Certified Concrete • Masonry • Paving 

Retaining Walls • Floors • Veneer Walls 

The team at Firth Concrete 

are proud to be the preferred 

contractor for Ebbett Hamilton 

205437AA 

www.firth.co.nz 

0800 FIRTH 1 

795 Te Rapa Road 

Hamilton, 3200 

NEED TYRES? 

WE HAVE MOVED TO 

131 TASMAN ROAD 

Why choose Tyre Tracks? 

• Owner operated 

• Easy access for all vehicles including 

trailers, boats and floats 

• Huge range of stock 

• Quality tyres at the right price 

• Comfortable customer lounge that is 

child friendly 

• All tyre and alignment equipment is the 

latest technology 

• Experienced staff 

• Walk to the base shopping centre 

0800 438 8973 www.tyretracks.co.nz



The next generation 

starts here 

Chevrolet has put over 100 years of pickup 

truck know-how into the All-New Chevrolet 

Silverado 1500. With its bold proportions 

and broad-shouldered appeal, the 

Chevrolet Silverado owns the road. 

RISE AND SHINE 

With its bold proportions and 

broad-shouldered appeal, the 

Chevrolet Silverado owns the 

road. 

A longer wheelbase and 

wide, muscular stance provide 

a powerful base. 

The chiselled hood and 

striking horizontal elements let 

you know this truck shares the 

Chevy truck bloodline, with 

distinct grille, front fascia and 

wheel design. 

SILVERADO PROVIDE 

THE PERFECT 

POWERTRAIN 

The Silverado 1500 LTZ 

delivers a unique blend of 

performance and efficiency. 

The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine 

pumps out an impressive 

class leading 313kW of power 

and 624Nm of torque. The 

highly efficient 10-speed automatic 

transmission provides 

impressive refinement and 

performance, including 

enhanced acceleration and 

torque delivery while towing 

and comes standard 

with auto stop/start technology 

and Dynamic Fuel 

Management. 

TOWING 

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 

has the torque and transmission 

you need to pull heavy 

loads, offering a maximum 

towing capacity of up to 4.5 

tonnes*. 

Advanced Trailering Package: 

Hitch Guidance with 

Hitch View#, industry-first 

electric parking brake hookup 

assist, integrated trailer brake 

controller, trailer theft alert, 

in-vehicle Advanced Trailering 

System with a phone companion 

app and more. 

A long day of towing gets 

a lot easier when you have 

features like Tow/ 

Haul mode, Trailer Swap Control, 

Hills Start Assist and auto 

grade braking on your side. 

* Maximum braked towing 

capacity kg (using 70mm ball). 

# Read the vehicle Owner’s 

Manual for important feature 

limitations and information. 

THE MOST FUNCTIONAL 

BED OF ANY PICKUP 

Chevrolet took the hardest-working 

part of the truck 

and designed it to be lighter, 

larger and stronger. Durabed 

combines roll-formed highstrength 

steel with more standard 

cargo bed volume than 

any other truck. 

There are also 12 standard 

tie-downs, and innovative features 

like an available industry-first 

power-up/-down tailgate, 

helping Silverado offer 

the most functional bed of any 

pickup. 

SAFETY IS OUR 

STRENGTH 

front and rear outboard 

seating positions. 

• Standard StabiliTrak electronic 

stability control with 

rollover mitigation technology, 

trailer sway control 

and hill-start assist. 

• Front and Rear Park Assist, 

Lane Change Alert with 

Side Blind Zone Alert and 

Rear Cross Traffic Alert. 

• Forward Collision Alert, 

Low Speed Forward Automatic 

Braking, Front 

Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam 

automatic headlamp 

control, Following 

Distance Indicator and 

Safety Alert Seat. 

INTERIOR COMFORT 

AND CONVENIENCE 

The Silverado 1500 LTZ has 

all the interior comfort and 

convenience needed. 

Perforated leather-appointed 

seating is a great place 

to start. Add in heated driver 

and front outboard passenger 

seats with 10-way power and 

driver memory, plus a heated 

steering wheel. The Chevrolet 

Infotainment 3 Plus system 

with multi-touch display and 

advanced voice recognition is 

included, as is a high-definition 

Rear Vision Camera. Two 

USB ports provide power and 

connectivity for your mobile 

devices, while two in the rear 

support charging devices. 

When it comes to safety, Silverado 

brings unparalleled 

safety features including: 

• Dual-stage frontal airbags 

for driver and front 

outboard passenger; setmounted 

side-impact airbags 

for driver and front 

outboard passenger; and 

head-curtain airbags for 

Taking care of your 

fire protection needs 

DESIGN | SUPPLY | INSTALL 

Proud to be associated with Foster Construction and Ebbetts New Build. 

E steve@simplyfire.co.nz 

W www.simplyfire.co.nz



27 

2020 Customer Satisfaction Awards 

Celebrating a night of excellence 

In late March, Ebbett Audi celebrated a night of success at the 

Audi NZ Excellence Awards in Auckland, hosted at the stunning 

Park Hyatt. The team were nominated for a record number of 

national awards this year and managed to take away titles for: 

• Apprentice of the Year - Ben Aldred 

• Technician of the Year - Doane Hattingh 

• Service Advisor of the Year - Annika Lourens 

• Customer Satisfaction Dealer of the Year - Ebbett Audi 

They also managed to receive runner-up honours for… 

Thank you to all of our customers that helped us achieve 

these results both individually and as a team for 2020. We are 

absolutely thrilled to have won the Customer Satisfaction Dealer 

of the Year award and hope to further enhance your local Audi 

experience in 2021 and beyond. 

Andrew Unternahrer, Dealer Principal 

The Audi Excellence Awards is a special occasion that celebrates 

the outstanding achievements across a range of departments; 

sales, parts, finance, service, marketing and customer 

satisfaction across Audi dealerships nationwide. It is an exciting 

night for our country’s top Audi dealers who are consistently 

competitive. 

• Service Advisor - Andrew Crosthwaite 

• Sales Specialist and Audi Sport Specialist - James Jones 

• Sales Manager - Jason Young 

• Service Manager - Richard Wren 

• Overall Dealer of the Year - Ebbett Audi 

Ebbett Audi 

490 Grey Street, Hamilton East 

Hamilton, 3216. (07) 903 2240 

www.ebbettaudi.co.nz



New 

Nissan Navara 

Who said you can’t go anywhere? 

In dealerships now. Book your 

test drive today. 

nissan.co.nz 

*Sports bar shown is an optional extra. 

1050 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton - 07 839 0777 - 0800 647 726 - sales@jwn.co.nz 

16 Huiputea Drive, Otorohanga. 07 873 8066 - merv@jwn.co.nz


29 

The crucial differences between 

Google Ads and SEO 

What's the difference between Google Ads and SEO? 

Is one better than the other? Should we use both? 

Whenever I present 

digital marketing 

seminars to business 

owners and marketing managers, 

I get a series of questions 

about Google Ads and SEO, 

like the ones above. I am also 

often asked, do people really 

click on ads? Does paying for 

ads help my organic rankings? 

And more. These are all important 

questions for business owners 

and marketing managers to 

understand. So, let's dive in. 

What's the difference 

between Google Ads 

and SEO? 

When you search for anything 

on Google, you’re likely to see 

both ads and organic results on 

the search results page. 

Normally the first four 

results and the last three results 

are ads. They look just like the 

other search results shown on 

THE DIGITAL WORLD 

> BY JOSH MOORE 

Josh Moore leads the team at Duoplus - a Hamilton-based 

digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow through 

highly measurable online marketing. www.duoplus.nz 

the page, except there is small 

text saying "Ad" just in front of 

the website address. That's the 

main difference in the appearance. 

In between these two 

lots of ads Google will show 

the "organic" results. These 

are the websites that Google 

thinks are the best match for 

what you searched for. To have 

your company appear in the ads 

section, you need to pay for 

Google Ads. Google charges 

you every time someone clicks 

on one of your ads. To have 

your website appear high in 

the organic results, you need to 

convince Google that your site 

is the most useful site for the 

phrase that was searched. The 

process of doing this is called 

SEO, which stands for "Search 

Engine Optimisation". 

Is one better than the other? 

Google Ads and SEO both fall 

under the category of “Search 

Engine Marketing” (also known 

as “SEM”) – because both of 

them help you get in front of 

your target market when they’re 

using search engines to look for 

your product or services. One 

is not necessarily better than 

the other – they are both very 

useful for marketing but are 

different. 

For example, you can get 

results from Google Ads very 

fast. Once the campaign is built 

and turned on, your ads can 

start showing up in the top spots 

within minutes. SEO, however, 

takes much longer. Depending 

on the level of competition for 

the keywords you want to rank 

for, and depending on how well 

your site is currently ranking, it 

can take months of SEO work 

to get onto page one of Google's 

search results, and longer still to 

be competing for the top spots 

in the organic results. 

Another difference is the 

cost. When running Google 

Ads you pay every time someone 

clicks on your ad. This 

could range from $1.50 per 

click in a low competition area, 

up to $12 per click or even $50 

per click for some of the highly 

competitive industries such 

as insurance, loans and other 

financial services! 

But if your site has great 

SEO and is ranking well in the 

organic rankings, you don't pay 

anything when people click on 

your link. That’s hugely useful. 

However, remember, this “free 

traffic” still takes investment, 

because you’ll need to pay 

an SEO agency or an internal 

expert to do ongoing work to 

get your site ranking well. 

The range of searches you 

can show up for is different 

between Google Ads and SEO 

too. With Google Ads you can 

choose to have your ads show 

for as many search queries (keywords) 

as are relevant for your 

business. There could be hundreds 

of different keywords that 

are relevant to your business, 

and your ads can show for all of 

these straight away. With SEO 

however, it takes enormous 

effort to get ranked for each 

keyword. So while your ads 

might be showing for hundreds 

of different keywords, you’re 

likely to have a list of only 5-30 

keywords that you are actively 

working on improving organic 

rankings for with SEO. 

Do people really click on 

those ads? 

They sure do! In 2020 Google 

earned $147 billion from people 

clicking on ads! In fact, 

even with Google having the 

Android operating system, 

Google Play store, GSuite apps, 

Google Cloud, and many other 

parts of its business, 83 percent 

of Google’s revenue in 2019 

came from ads. This includes 

YouTube ads and display 

(image) ads, but the vast majority 

came from ads on search 

results pages. 

Does paying for ads help my 

organic rankings? 

No, paying for Google Ads 

helps your ads show in the ad 

slots on the search results page, 

but it will not affect the organic 

ranking of your website at all. 

Google knows that for it to 

retain the dominant position as 

the world’s number one search 

engine, it needs to provide the 

best, most useful results whenever 

people search. Because of 

this, they do not let advertising 

spend affect the organic results 

they are providing to users. 

Should we use both? 

Yes. That’s easy to answer for 

most businesses. If there is 

enough volume of searches for 

your products or services, then 

running both Google Ads and 

SEO is generally a good plan. 

Some people like to scroll 

past the ads to the organic 

results, so it is very beneficial to 

be ranked well. But many people 

do click on the ads, as you 

can see from Google’s revenue 

figures, so if you’re only doing 

SEO and not running ads you’re 

likely to miss out on many people 

seeing your site, as they’ll 

click one of the top four ads. 

If your budget doesn’t 

stretch far enough to do both 

right now, then depending on 

the nature of your business, 

your budget and your industry, 

you might start off with Google 

Ads and then add on SEO later. 

Or it might make sense to do 

SEO first and Google Ads at a 

later date. The ideal approach 

though is to be doing both. 

THE CHOICE IS 

EASY, WE WALK 

THE WALK 

Many businesses talk about 

sustainability, we walk the walk. 

Fosters is proud to be the only 

construction company in NZ 

to hold both Toitū carbonzero 

and enviromark diamond 

certifications. 

Trust Fosters to deliver 

sustainable outcomes for our 

communities and for your 

commercial property projects.


REMARKABLE WOMEN 

Women 

with a 

mission 

With the world 

celebrating International 

Women’s Day earlier 

in March it was an 

opportune moment for 

Waikato Business News 

to approach a group of 

women in Waikato who 

play key roles in business 

and learning. 

While there are many 

more, who we have 

introduced to you over the 

years, we know you will 

enjoy reading these brief 

profiles and discovering 

more about what has 

encouraged this group 

to head their fields in 

academia and commerce. 

‘What we do here is 

always bespoke’ 

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society 

Mystery Creek event managers, Sandra Jenkin and Marie 

Rechner, can’t wait for a packed Fieldays at Mystery Creek. 

Engineering 

with a human 

dimension 

Judith Makinson is the 

Transportation Engineering 

Manager at CKL in Hamilton, 

a firm that specialises in 

providing technical services 

to land development and 

infrastructure projects 

Judith joined CKL two-and-a-half 

years ago to set up the transportation 

engineering side of the business and 

it has gone from strength to strength since 

then, providing transportation engineering 

services across the North Island. 

“Transportation engineering is a fascinating 

field,” says Judith. “It’s essentially 

about moving people and goods, taking in 

all modes of transport and figuring out the 

best way to help people access those goods 

and services. There is always a new challenge 

on each and every project, regardless 

of scale.” 

Recently CKL has been working with 

the Kimihia Lakes Community Trust on 

their rehabilitation project for Huntly East 

Mine. “They’re letting the mine fill with 

water naturally and they have plans to 

develop a water-based education centre for 

schools, passive recreation areas, accommodation 

and a mine museum. We’ve 

provided an Integrated Transportation 

Judith Makinson 

Assessment to support their submission to 

the Waikato District Plan review to hopefully 

create a new recreation zone that will 

allow them to do their amazing work more 

easily. It’s a fantastic vision.” 

What Judith loves about her job is its 

human dimension – how she and her team 

can create transportation environments that 

will work best for people. “Often we have 

to second guess how people will behave, in 

a large and busy car park for example, but 

that’s part of the fun. We’re engineering on 

a human scale.” 

The number of women studying engineering 

is increasing, but it can be a struggle 

to retain them in the industry, Judith 

says. “Covid-19 showed that it is absolutely 

possible to have a career in engineering 

and work flexibly. Hopefully more of 

our employers and women engineers will 

have learned from that and see that there 

doesn’t have to be a choice between career 

and family.” 

P 07 849 9921 

58 Church Rd, Te Rapa 

Hamilton 

www.ckl.co.nz 

In June after last year’s event moved online, 

due to Covid-19. It has been a quieter 

year than usual for Senior Event Manager, 

Sandra Jenkin, and Event Manager, Marie 

Rechner, as some events at Mystery Creek 

were cancelled last year, though major events 

Festival One and the Motorhome, Caravan 

and Leisure Show were still able to go ahead 

safely. 

The two women have strong backgrounds 

in events and ensure all the events at Mystery 

Creek run seamlessly. 

Sandra has been with the New Zealand 

National Fieldays Society for seven years, 

after 12 years with ForumPoint2 working on 

conferences, and gaining experience of big 

outdoor events such as Rhythm and Vines. 

Marie has also been working at the Society 

for two and a half years after previously 

being contracted to run the Kitchen Theatre 

at the Fieldays event. This follows a career in 

hospitality and construction before gaining a 

Graduate Diploma in Event Management ten 

years ago. 

This year’s Fieldays will be back at 

Mystery Creek and will be boosted by a 

re-launch of last year’s Fieldays Online event 

for people overseas or those who can’t make 

the trip to the physical event at Mystery Creek. 

Fieldays will be held from June 16-19, 

while Fieldays Online will build on the success 

of the 2020 virtual event and run for a 

month, hosting seminars and demonstrations 

and access to exhibitor deals and information. 

“There is a month-long programme now 

to cover all things agribusiness, which is an 

awesome thing for us to offer over and above 

the four days of the physical event,” Marie 

says. She says “Kitchen Theatre has been a 

highlight. I’ve been privileged to organise and 

run this and help develop the Fieldays food 

strategy, as well as work with an awesome 

bunch of volunteers.” 

Sandra says the Fieldays Online platform 

works well for seminars. “You can only have 

so much seminar space here on site when you 

really want to sell exhibitor space and have 

the public here. So, this gives us more scope 

to deep dive into hot topics for the primary 

sector.” 

As an event centre, Sandra says Mystery 

Creek has a unique appeal with the enormous 

range of events it caters for. “What we do here 

is always bespoke. We can have a small meeting 

for ten people one day, and then an event 

for 4000 the next so there’s huge variety. 

“At another venue, you’d have a small 

piece of the whole event to work on, and you’d 

work on that same thing across a number of 

events. Whereas here, we tend to work across 

Sandra Jenkin, left, and Marie Rechner. 

the whole event, being able to co-ordinate a 

wider scope, from the organisation and logistics 

to working with our operations team and 

delivering the event.” 

Marie says their work on Fieldays and 

other events make money that can then be 

given back to the community. “An example of 

this was a donation to Rural Youth and Adult 

Literacy Trust, which provides free tuition to 

isolated rural adults and teenagers who struggle 

with reading and writing. 

“These kinds of programmes are real- 

ly important to us, and when you think 

we contributed money to that cause, 

that’s really cool.” 

The New Zealand National Fieldays 

Society which owns the Mystery Creek Event 

Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that is 

committed to supporting the advancement of 

agriculture in New Zealand. “So, the payoff 

is a win-win for us,” says Marie. “We’ve got 

our own personal goals and then those of the 

Society that we work towards. It’s got a strong 

community attachment.” 

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society 

P: +64 7 843-4497 | Gate 2, 125 Mystery Creek Rd,Hamilton | www.nznfs.co.nz 

205374AA


Lightbulb moment 

pays off for founder 

It was her experience shopping for lighting for 

a renovation that got Mr. Ralph Founder Rachel 

Williamson thinking. 

Rachel Williamson 

Accompanied by her sister Charlie, 

Rachel had been looking for lighting 

for a renovation in Cambridge. 

Trouble was, most of what she liked she 

could not afford, and what she could 

afford was not up to the mark. There 

was, she thought, no affordable designled 

middle ground. 

It was 2013 and Rachel, who had 

just given up a career in a Sales and 

Marketing Leadership role, and with no 

plans to return to the corporate world, 

saw the gap in the market. 

She had never owned a business but 

liked to do things her own way and was 

pretty sure she could come up with a 

customer-focused business model that 

would plug the gap. 

“Pendant and wall lighting was taking 

off in Europe and quickly coming back 

into fashion after years of everyone 

chasing the clean, recessed minimalist 

look. People wanted layers and the 

emotional effect of atmospheric lighting, 

and recessed LEDs simply could not do 

that,” Rachel said. 

Internet research turned up a short list 

of three Chinese suppliers she liked, 

and after looking at samples, Rachel 

settled on one. Then, of course, she 

had to back her research with money. 

“I was very lucky I had the support of 

my husband Kevin, and there were 

some savings I could use. It was both 

nerve-wracking and very exciting. 

Initially I was just aiming to make my 

money back and I went into it thinking 

that if I could earn a small living, I would 

be happy. I never had any intention of 

starting a big business, I really wanted 

a simpler, pared-back lifestyle.” 

With lifestyle in mind, Rachel started 

from a little cottage and showroom in 

Cambridge, but such was the response 

she quickly realised her company did 

not have the business systems in place 

to cope with the demand for her range. 

“We shut the Cambridge business, 

moved to Waihi Beach, found a large 

warehouse in Paeroa, went completely 

online, and grew that. We opened a 

showroom complete with a 100-squaremetre 

grid of display lighting and that’s 

when we realised people were prepared 

to travel, to make a trip of it so they 

could see the product for themselves 

and experience the lighting options we 

had. Even if it is convenient to buy from 

the comfort of home, people want to 

touch and see lights in a showroom. 

We realised we had become a 

destination, that people would seek 

us out in provincial Waikato. And that 

realisation has become central to our 

business model.” 

So, nine months ago, secure in the 

knowledge the customer would come to 

her, Rachel moved the business again, 

this time to a showroom dedicated 

to light in Gordonton. In Gordonton 

customers are taken on a journey 

that begins with glass, wood, clay 

and rattan and concludes with metal 

and concrete. The crowning glory is a 

charcoal painted room that showcases 

a carefully curated collection of 

pendant lights. 

“In Gordonton about 50 percent of our 

revenue is from Auckland. We are 75 

minutes from the city and Aucklanders 

make the trip. And we are so close to 

Hamilton. Gordonton was perfect for 

our model.” 

Rachel has a second studio in New 

Plymouth. 

“We are deliberately based in provincial 

New Zealand. We’ve found the spin-off 

to this to be quite layered. We avoid big 

city high street rents and the customer 

benefits from our pricing model. As well, 

we get to employ amazing people who 

want to work in fulfilling jobs. What’s 

evolved is right for my lifestyle and right 

for customers.” 

While Mr. Ralph has a substantial 

online presence complemented by 

provincial destinations, Rachel is quick 

to place her staff and customers at the 

centre of her business model. 

“ 

Even if it is convenient to buy from the comfort 

of home, people want to touch and see lights 

in a showroom. We realised we had become 

a destination, that people would seek us out 

in provincial Waikato. And that realisation has 

become central to our business model. 

“We love to give back and support 

Women’s Refuge, Foodbank, Pound 

Hounds and are soon to become a 

Business partner of Kidscan. I believe 

in an integrity of intent, that well-paid, 

valued staff are central to the way we 

do business. I am after a bespoke way 

of dealing with customers and I believe 

that if staff feel themselves highly 

valued then they will emulate that with 

customers. 

“I feel you always should put yourself 

in the shoes of the customer, if 

possible, try to be your customer. If you 

cannot do that then you don’t have a 

sustainable business model. 

“We want customers to love what 

they have purchased so we offer a 

30-day return policy with no handling 

fees. To help customers purchase 

with confidence we have free online 

consultants and staff who will either 

travel to customers’ homes, or work 

with them off-the-plan. 

“If we invest time into our customers, 

they will be loyal in return.” 

When the lockdown hit, Rachel again 

had the opportunity to reassess Mr. 

Ralph. 

“As an online business we were 

more fortunate than most high street 

retailers, but we realised how important 

it was that the online offering was 

world class, so we are investing in 

better systems and content to future 

proof the business.” 

Rachel has continued to seek out new 

sources of lighting inspiration. 

“We have a curated range from Bali, 

Spain, and South Africa and outdoor 

lights from Oxfordshire in England. As 

well, we are working with New Zealand 

designers. We are exploring New 

Zealand made fabric shades. The trick 

is to find the balance and provide a 

carefully curated range. I know we have 

a good eye, so we should be able to 

fulfil peoples’ needs.” 

Rachel’s advice to those looking for 

lighting solutions for their home? 

“Find a signature piece, say a 

pendant for the hallway, or something 

magnificent over the dining table. 

Then complete the picture with less 

expensive wall lights, floor lamps, table 

lamps. Look to create mood, texture 

and colour. Exquisite fabric shades 

(with tassels) are back. But don’t do too 

much – less is often more with beautiful 

lighting, look for simplicity in design.” 

And, as for the future? 

“Mr.Ralph will continue to be primarily 

an online business that reaches 

everybody, but our provincial design 

studios have proved to be a great 

portal that allow people to touch us, 

meet us and see our product so 

watch out for Mr. Ralph in a provincial 

town near you.” 

P 0800 677 2574 

E info@mrralph.co.nz 

1034 Gordonton Road, Gordonton mrralph.co.nz



Senior lawyers develop 

firm’s construction practice 

Braun Bond and Lomas 

Braun Bond and Lomas (BBL) Senior Associates Usha Keller 

and Charlotta Harpur have plenty in common. 

Charlotta Harpur 

Both left Auckland for the lifestyle on offer south of 

the Bombays, and both have a focus on construction 

litigation. They are also each senior associates in the 

firm that is growing its construction practice as the industry 

booms. 

And in a further parallel, both Charlotta and Usha are set 

to work a proportion of their week from home as the firm 

embraces flexibility. Charlotta is the newer of the two, after 

starting with BBL on April 8. She will be commuting from her 

home at Papamoa, having shifted there from Auckland with 

her family a year ago. 

“Joining BBL is a really good opportunity for me to broaden 

what I do,” she says. “To get established in the Waikato and 

also in the Bay of Plenty, continue to build my civil litigation 

practice and gain some new clients and new experience.” 

The role will also involve developing the business in the 

Tauranga area, potentially setting up a smaller office there. 

In the meantime Charlotta is likely to work remotely from 

home some of the time while also regularly travelling across 

the Kaimais. “It’s important to keep contact with your team 

members and the social connections through work. So being 

able to do both, I think will be really good.” 

Born in Sweden, and gaining her law degree in the UK, 

Charlotta has worked in civil litigation in New Zealand since 

2009, specialising in insurance law, local government and 

resource management law. 

She has a lot of experience around building defects, 

including leaky homes, and a range of construction issues that 

overlap with resource management and subdivisions. 

“Both Hamilton and Tauranga are really in a big growth 

phase so that construction knowledge will be needed across 

the board. 

“We will be there with legal support for people when needed, 

both in terms of advice around contracts and in litigation 

when things go wrong.” 

Living by the beach is suiting her down to the ground but 

she’s not ruling out shifting to a more rural setting with a 

return to the interest she had in horses when she was younger. 

Meanwhile, Usha Keller is enjoying the lifestyle of a small 

block outside Raglan, including looking after cows, ducks 

and chickens, a far cry from the Auckland lifestyle she left 

behind two years ago. Usha has a background in construction 

litigation, including applying the Construction Contracts Act 

as well as working on leaky building claims. 

She says the firm covers an enormous range of litigation 

work. Her work includes large files featuring multi-party litigation 

and involving millions of dollars, but she also acts for 

the one or two-person building firms right through to mum 

and dad owners who have a problem with a defective home. 

“What is enjoyable is helping your clients navigate 

through tricky situations, understanding the processes, 

and trying to get a good result for them. Litigation 

can be quite complex, and houses are the biggest 

investment most people have.” 

Usha Keller 

Going to court is the last resort, she says. “It’s expensive, 

time consuming and stressful. If at all possible, we suggest 

it is in everyone’s best interest to resolve things as early as 

possible. Alternative dispute resolution is as much part of 

our practice as going to court, but we need to make sure our 

clients are in as strong a position as possible first.” 

Like Charlotta, Usha is working from home two days a 

week. “It’s great for me, especially living out at Raglan, I get 

to cut down on travel and and spend some more time in my 

beautiful little town.” 

Level 1, 127 Alexandra Street, Hamilton, 3204 | Phone: 0064 7 839 0900 | www.bbllawyers.nz 

205391AA 

Values drive family 

business success 

Alignz Recruitment 

Strong Samoan values are at the heart of growing 

Hamilton firm Alignz Recruitment, which features 

six women from the same family helping to build its 

future, among them founder Meta Tyrell. 

The company’s success has seen it open offices in 

Auckland and Bay of Plenty, and shows what is possible for 

women and Pacific people in business, says Meta’s daughter 

Felila Asiata-Feausi, who is National Growth and Partnership 

Manager. 

Felila’s mother, Meta, said: “I want to acknowledge my 

eldest sister Esther Vailisale who passed away in 2012, for 

her loyalty and hard work, driving workers to and from work 

and always having my back.” 

Their family values and faith continue to be central to 

everything they do in business, she says. 

Also bringing those values to Alignz Recruitment are 

Meta’s four daughters Felila, Alana Tyrell, Isabella Tyrell, 

Analisa Tyrell, and her niece Lua Sao. 

“My journey with Alignz Recruitment instilled in me a 

deep understanding of the challenges and obstacles that can 

hold a Samoan woman back from fulfilling her potential in 

running a business,” Meta says. 

“You need to be thick-skinned, and the three things I 

always remind myself every day is: ‘know who you are’, 

‘what is our purpose?’, and ‘always remember to do the right 

thing’.” 

HR and Project Manager Alana, who has been with 

the firm almost nine years, says their parents instilled in 

them the ability to create, to be innovative and to be solution 

focused. They also learned the vital importance of 

networking, she says. 

Their parents made it clear that the business and family 

were separate. “We don’t get treated any differently to all the 

From left, Lua Sao, Felila Asiata-Feausi, Analisa Tyrell, Meta Tyrell, Alana Tyrell, and Isabella Tyrell 

other staff, we’ve really got to earn our stripes,” Alana says. 

“We probably have to work harder, which I’m actually 

grateful for, because I feel like it’s made me learn faster and 

be a bit more thick skinned when it comes to business and 

entrepreneurship.” 

Lua, who is a Senior Consultant and has been with Alignz 

three years, says she values the impact they can have on 

people’s lives. “What spins my wheels? Helping people and 

- being PI - making a difference to the village.” 

They try to stay in touch with people they have helped 

into jobs and build relationships with client firms. 

Team Leader Analisa, who has been with Alignz for five 

years, says they have been able to help companies grow, and 

that in turn boosts referrals - which make up most of their 

work. Her role includes bringing in new business. “There is 

a lot of work out there,” she says. “A lot of companies are 

looking for workers. It’s just a case of trying to find the most 

suitable people.” 

Business Development Manager Isabella works in the 

Auckland office, where the ethos of building relationships 

is the same but where they also have to take into account 

people’s travel times and higher costs. “In Auckland, your 

networks are huge. You’ve got to build that friendship, that 

relationship, that trust, and you’ve got to take into consideration 

not just the skills, but the location.” 

They are the only agency working with the NZ Rugby 

Players Association, including a lot of Mitre 10 players, 

many of whom are Pasifika. 

Alignz Recruitment’s companies include bigger players 

such as Higgins, CB Civil and Dempsey Wood along with 

medium to small firms. Felila says they give the same 

attention to all their clients. “We’ve been going through this 

journey together.” 

As Meta says: “The ethos, ethics and approach of 

Alignz Recruitment have achieved extraordinary results and 

have been proven to work for people of all ethnicities and 

backgrounds. The teams in Waikato, Auckland and Bay of 

Plenty provide confidence, tools and pathways to everyone, 

continuing to build relationships and make a lasting 

contribution to the community.” 

Alignz Recruitment 

Phone: 07 855 2743 | Level 1, Unit 1C Cnr Peachgrove Rd & Fifth Ave, Five Cross Roads 

Website: www.alignzrecruitment.co.nz/ | Email: reception@alignzrecruitment.co.nz 

205378AA


Aasha Foley 

Managing Partner, iCLAW 

Culliney & Partners NZ Lawyer 

Rising Star 2021 

Women and young lawyers still have to 

work a lot harder to be taken seriously 

in the profession, despite the industry 

having made significant strides down 

the road to creating a genuinely diverse, 

equal opportunities landscape. 

Law firms and organisations have become 

increasingly transparent about their gender 

pay gap and flexible working conditions are 

commonplace. But there is still a long way to 

go to break the glass ceiling that impacts the 

career prospects of women in legal practice 

and at board level. 

Hamilton-based lawyer and young mum, 

Aasha Foley is a leading example of a 

remarkable woman who took a hard road 

into law and did so because she had set her 

sights on helping people succeed. For this 

award-winning legal professional, there was 

no other option in her mind. It paid off. At just 

28 she founded her own law firm of 16 staff, 

three offices and a leader of her team of 

fellow young lawyers. On top of becoming a 

new mum, Aasha was recently announced as 

NZ’s Rising Star 2021 by NZ Lawyer. 

It is something Aasha is constantly working 

at, crafting and developing with endeavour 

and great care. A successful career in law 

has never been so hard-fought by women 

such as Aasha in this male-dominated profession. 

Aasha began her career at James & 

Wells as a trade mark secretary. It was a start 

and at a prestigious New Zealand firm. 

“After leaving law school in 2011 in a post- 

GFC economy, opportunities were few and 

far between for graduate positions. I knew 

that all I had to do was get my foot in the 

door, and that from there I’d be able to climb 

the ladder. 

“My supervising partners at James & Wells 

were tough, but in the right way. Despite coming 

in at a secretarial level, I was immediately 

expected to perform, think, and carry out my 

work like a lawyer. I was fortunate enough to 

carry out my initial training with some of the 

best practitioners in the industry, all of whom 

taught me some of the most valuable lessons 

in my career to date - and not all those applied 

to the direct practice of law. These are 

lessons I pass onto my staff daily.” 

From there she moved into a new commercial 

team formed at James & Wells by her 

current business partner Owen Culliney and 

was appointed as a solicitor in that team after 

showing an ability to juggle an enormous 

workload across a variety of practice areas. 

After a short period of time Aasha put together 

a healthy practice of her own made up of 

SMEs, private clients and property developers. 

With that practice under her wing, she 

decided to row her own canoe and so, still as 

a young lawyer, she entered partnership at 

iCLAW as a founding partner. Nearing four 

years into the establishment of that firm, she 

is on top of her game. Working on $100m 

developments, pursuing debt from offshore 

lenders and investors, international clients, 

Aasha juggles a continued focus on her SME 

and private clients as well. 

“I see the law as a way to help people 

achieve their goals,” says Aasha who is 

known for her intuition or, as some would 

say, her ‘sixth sense’ – an ability to identify 

opportunities and anticipate outcomes. 

This insightful, precise and pragmatic advisor 

sees her specialising in commercial and 

property law, her diverse expertise including 

property development and corporate financing, 

commercial advice and structuring, mergers 

and acquisitions, limited partnerships and 

intellectual property. 

Aasha has also established herself as an 

expert in managing complex mix-used property 

developments. Her experience in the 

property market, and in particular property 

development financing, has seen her develop 

a reputation for executing projects of scale 

effectively and efficiently. 

With property development comes investment 

and capital raising, and so with that 

Aasha’s experience has extended to the 

establishment of private equity funds and 

property investment vehicles, to the intricacies 

of intellectual property in a commercial 

transaction. This includes the provision of 

licensing, supply, distribution and joint venture 

agreements, the sale and purchase of 

intellectual property rights, no-shop agreements 

and non-disclosure agreements. 

Her passion and drive have seen this superstar, 

award-winning law professional become 

one of New Zealand’s youngest partners and 

owners of a law firm. Her team at iCLAW is 

full of early-career lawyers making strides in 

the legal profession. 

“Law is one of the oldest professions in 

history and it’s exciting to see it evolving from 

a profession run in a traditional way, and 

predominantly by men, to one that is run and 

led innovatively, and predominantly staffed by 

women,” says Aasha. 

This generation of lawyers are not only 

self-confident, competitive, technologically 

savvy and ambitious but are focused on 

making a difference on every level - professionally, 

socially, politically and economically. 

Aasha explains that as a business, iCLAW 

refuse to accept that “things have always 

been done this way,” and are committed to 

finding solutions that fit the present. 

“The profession can be practiced flexibly by 

parents and younger people. The tools exist, 

there is a willingness to change, and it is 

going to remain the second oldest profession 

for a long, long time to come if we as leaders 

continue to adjust and evolve to accommodate 

the future.” 

As a woman that has reached partnership 

and had a family by a young age, Aasha 

wants to lead her team (men and women) 

into the future of this profession where they 

too, can do precisely the same. Their strong 

female leader is respected not only because 

she has earned it, but because she gives 

respect to everyone she interacts with, no 

matter their level or experience. She actively 

encourages other young lawyers to be the 

best they can be by reinforcing the importance 

and awareness of personal responsibility 

and accountability, client care and 

relationships, and personal knowledge and 

development. 

“Looking after and encouraging people is 

what motivates me and I believe it’s this 

compassion that makes me an ideal mentor 

and leader of our team,” she says. 

“I believe in teaching the art of independence 

to a lawyer, practicing personal responsibility 

and accountability establishes good habits. 

We encourage our staff to build and maintain 

strong relationships with everyone they meet, 

and to do so by actively networking and 

building their personal brand. While being 

successful in the law involves technical expertise 

and knowledge, it just as importantly 

demands strong relationships and contacts. 

Aasha Foley 

“It’s absolutely critical to build and maintain 

client relationships, which in turn supports career 

progression. It’s so much easier to keep 

in touch with people these days, so it should 

be a core part of everyone’s career development 

plan. I encourage my staff to get actively 

involved in the building and management 

of key client relationships, to prime them for 

the position of taking on future leadership 

roles within the firm, and in managing those 

clients over time.” 

Climbing the career ladder early isn’t for 

everyone and Aasha appreciates this more 

than most at her leadership level. For periods 

of our career, women have worked part-time 

or flexibly and one common misconception 

- still prevalent in many industries - is that a 

woman is not looking to progress in her career 

when she has other priorities like starting 

a family. 

Aasha couldn’t challenge this more. Her 

strong relationships enabled her to pick up 

exactly where she left off after returning from 

her own maternity leave but there is an added 

tip she recommends for others taking time 

out: “try and keep your toe in.” 

“It’s important to speak up and express your 

aspirations and goals, particularly as you get 

more senior and are looking to progress to 

partnership or other senior positions in the 

legal industry. The best approach is to be 

authentic, true to yourself and connect with 

senior successful women or men who will 

support you.” 

Aasha appreciates these are personal decisions 

that people make and is not limited to 

parental leave: there is no longer a one-sizefits-all 

mold. 

“It’s important to not make a long-term 

decision when life isn’t on an even keel. This 

is a potentially 40-year career, don’t just give 

up on that because the next six months or 

so are going to be a rollercoaster managing 

a business, career and a family. You can absolutely 

do and have both, but it’s not a race. 

If you want to cut back for a while, then cut 

back and come back to work later. It should 

never be about having to choose!” 

It’s this assurance and empathy for others 

lead by a senior legal professional that is 

helping to transform the industry for future 

legal professionals from being cutthroat to 

confidently progressive. 

“There is no issue with being clear about 

what you want to achieve and having convictions 

and goals.” 

Having more confidence in your own abilities 

is another way of being successful, Aasha 

explains. 

“You need to have the confidence to back 

yourself and feel secure enough in your own 

abilities to be vulnerable and learn from others. 

If someone does something that really 

impresses you, tell them and ask how they 

did it. It’s the best form of feedback for that 

person and a learning opportunity for you. 

“I encourage our female lawyers to talk about 

their successes. This sometimes involves 

helping them overcome the concern that, to 

do so, is unacceptable ‘skiting’. This is something 

I have always found difficult myself. But 

it is hugely important that all our lawyers find 

a way to talk confidently about their successes.” 

It’s this passion and drive that has seen her 

become one of New Zealand’s youngest 

partners and owners of a law firm, and as this 

country’s Rising Star by NZ Lawyer in 2021. 

“It’s validation, because yes, sometimes I still 

feel like I need it (imposter syndrome). Jokes 

aside, the reality is that I hope it’s the first of 

its kind. I want iCLAW, its directors and its 

staff to make an impact of this sort annually 

or more often. It’s what we’re here to do, it’s 

who we are, and we need to celebrate it,” 

says Aasha of the award. 

Her business partner, Owen Culliney is one 

of her biggest champions, reaffirming how 

deserving she is of recognition. 

“Aasha took the road less travelled in her 

career and is the better for it. She has 

shown great resilience and commitment to 

the profession and vocation of law to get to 

where she is. She happens to have done it 

rather quickly as well, but the point is that 

there were plenty of headwinds she faced to 

become a lawyer, build a practice of her own 

and be in business with me (I can be hard 

work). 

“Despite the timing of her entry into the workforce 

(post GFC), the work (as a woman) 

to claw herself into the role of solicitor from 

that of personal assistant and the ‘tut tuts’ 

that came from her peers in light of her call 

to start a law firm from scratch, she made a 

plan and drove it home. That makes her a 

star.” 

Aasha sees the law as a way to help people 

achieve their goals and is committed to making 

a difference. 

“Besides the amazing work she does for our 

clients, Aasha is also a nurturing mentor to 

all of the iCLAW team and is dedicated to the 

constant personal development of herself 

and others, making her our very own Rising 

Star. Not only is it an achievement for Aasha 

to be one of the few named on the list, she’s 

also one of only two Waikato-based lawyers 

on the list.” 

The last word from this remarkable young 

leader: “Be inspired not intimidated by those 

around you, draw from those successes, be 

yourself and always know there are just so 

many different ways to be successful.” 

Phone (07) 929 4300 

Email info@iclaw.com 

Level 4, 14 Garden Place, Hamilton Central, Hamilton



‘Amazing support’ for bright 

new store 

Goldsmiths Gallery 

The best 

of all worlds 

When Michelle and Anthony Licht, 

the owners of well-known Hamilton 

jewellery store, Goldsmiths 

Gallery Designer Jewellers, moved into 

their new Victoria Street premises last year 

they had every reason to feel confident 

about the future. 

Then, just two weeks after they opened 

their doors, the country went into lockdown, 

and things, in Michelle’s words, got “really 

tough”.True, at 427 Victoria Street they had a 

bright, new, and beautiful store nearly twice 

the size of their previous premises. Moreover, 

they had finally achieved a viewing room 

for customers to sit in privacy and comfort 

whilst considering diamonds and discussing 

the remodelling or creation of their bespoke 

jewellery. However, none of that made sense 

with no customers and shut doors. And, while 

Covid-19 stopped business, it did not stop the 

regular arrival of bills for the shop fit-out. 

Fortunately, in their more than 20 years 

of service to the Waikato community, the 

couple and their team of jewellers had built 

a loyal customer base.Michelle says they are 

so grateful for the way in which they were 

supported once they were able to re-open. 

“In some cases we have served three 

generations of families, and they understood 

our situation, and returned to us. We are overwhelmed 

by the amazing support.” 

Michelle says the private viewing room is 

a vital tool in meeting the challenge posed by 

online stores. 

Michelle Licht 

“We can show customers what they are 

buying, we can show them computer imagery 

of the design they have asked for, and they 

can feel fully involved in the process of manufacture 

– all in privacy and comfort while 

seated on a couch. It gives us the personal 

relationship the internet cannot offer.” 

While most of their work is onsite, 

Michelle says they enjoy offsite adventures 

as well. “We are back at the national schools 

rowing competition, the Maadi Cup, at Lake 

Karapiro again this year. The participants 

are so lovely and appreciative of the rowing-themed 

range of pendants, earrings, 

bracelets, necklaces, and cufflinks we have 

designed. It’s such a contrast to our usual 

day – holding down a tent in wind and rain.” 

Goldsmiths Gallery Designer jewellers is 

based at 427 Victoria Street, Hamilton, and 

ground floor, Chartwell Shopping Centre. 

It’s well worth a visit to see their gorgeous 

range of bespoke jewellery, and since the 

two stores have different stock, take the 

time to explore both! 

Kim Antonio is the first 

woman to be appointed 

a director at Cambridge’s 

Accounted4. 

The chartered accountancy firm (formerly 

Shannon Wrigley & Co) has 

been in the town for 65 years and Kim 

has been with them for 16. She’s one of 12 

chartered accountants in the practice. 

“Working with numbers always came 

naturally to me, so when I was studying 

at the University of Waikato it was logical 

that I’d major in accounting. What 

surprised me was how much I enjoyed 

studying taxation.” 

Her first job after graduating was with 

Ernst & Young, in their entrepreneurial 

services tax division. While she enjoyed 

her time in Auckland, she was drawn to a 

more rural lifestyle. 

“So I returned to the Waikato, found a 

house on a horse stud and worked with the 

horses for seven months before returning to 

accountancy.” 

While she’s based in Cambridge, Kim 

has clients all over New Zealand – a dairy 

farm in Gore for example, a vineyard in 

Alexandra, her mum and dad’s farm in 

Northland – and some offshore clients too. 

“Many of my clients are dairy farmers – it’s 

Kim Antonio 

an industry I know well. But I also enjoy 

advising clients on the taxation of their 

investment portfolios.” 

Kim says she’s worked hard and is 

proud of her achievements. But the hard 

work doesn’t look like stopping anytime 

soon. “When there’s a change in government, 

that’s usually a signal that legislation 

will change and as accountants we will be 

interpreting and applying new and often 

complicated legislation. The recent changes 

announced to the brightline test, a case 

in point!” 

And after a day with clients and numbers, 

Kim always has her family and lifestyle 

block to return to, animals to look 

after, and always the dream of breeding a 

thoroughbred champion. 

Goldsmiths Gallery 

427 Victoria Street, Hamilton 

P. 07 838 3418 P. 07 852 5341 

Ground Floor, Chartwell Shopping Centre 

www.goldsmithsgallery.co.nz 

20538AA 

P 07 827 5192 

30 Duke Street, Cambridge 

www.accounted4.co.nz 

EXCEPTIONAL 

Rebecca Bruce 

Bayleys Hamilton 

During March, Bayleys highlighted some of the many exceptional 

women we have in our business, many of whom are rising stars 

who will help shape our future. 

We celebrated Rebecca Bruce who joined Bayleys Waikato 

Commercial & Industrial team in 2018. Rebecca was named the 

top female sales person for deal volume and value in 2020. 

Rebecca’s passion to exceed expectations is phenomenal and 

epitomises why she has been identified as an emerging talent 

in commercial property. 

Get in touch with Rebecca today. 

Rebecca Bruce 021 063 5165 

rebecca.bruce@bayleys.co.nz 

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 

ALTOGETHER BETTER 

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services



35 

Kate Searancke 

Kate Cornegé 

Law in the 

21st century 

“ 

I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing disputes 

coming to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Especially when the other party has the 

power and you can help your client get the 

outcome they deserve. - Kate Cornegé 

Headquartered in Hamilton, Tompkins 

Wake is the biggest law firm in the region. 

Named as mid-size law firm of the 

year for the second consecutive year 

at the New Zealand Law Awards, 

Tompkins Wake has branches in 

Auckland Rotorua and Tauranga and 

is a firm that prides itself on being 

forward thinking, innovative, and 

client focused. More than 130 people 

work across the four offices, and of 

the 24 partners, 10 are women. 

Two of those partners are Kate Cornegé 

and Kate Searancke. Both are mothers 

with young children, both have been 

partners at Tompkins Wake for about 

three years, and both started their legal 

careers at large corporate firms before 

coming to the Waikato for family and 

lifestyle reasons. 

At Victoria University in Wellington, 

Kate Cornegé was planning to major in 

English; Kate Searancke was geared up 

for history at the University of Waikato. 

Searancke decided she needed a bit 

more of a challenge. “I’d always been 

good at the arts, been good at English, 

history and writing, but I liked maths too, 

and law seemed like a good option.” So 

she completed a conjoint BA/Bachelor of 

Laws (LLB). 

And in Wellington Cornegé, who’d been 

keen on debating at school, and liked the 

intellectual challenge of an argument, 

switched courses to complete a Bachelor 

of Commerce and Administration and 

LLB with Honours. 

She’s a corporate and commercial 

dispute resolution specialist who 

represents clients across the commercial 

and local government sectors, covering 

issues raised in contracts, consumer 

rights, company law, and intellectual 

property and real property disputes. 

“Most people will avoid going to court if 

possible,” Cornegé says. “You see the 

risks and costs. The effects litigation 

has on relationships are considerable, 

particularly for individuals and small 

businesses. The personal costs can be 

huge.” In the vast majority of cases she 

says she and her colleagues can find 

a satisfactory outcome for both parties. 

But litigation is always an option. 

“The amount of time I’m in court varies 

depending on what we have on. A lot 

less than a criminal lawyer who is there 

every day, but in Hamilton, and all over 

New Zealand really, most lawyers work 

with clients across a range of topics and 

industries.” Cornegé has considerable 

experience working across regulated 

industries, including dairy, energy and 

telecommunications. 

“I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing 

disputes coming to a satisfactory 

conclusion. Especially when the other 

party has the power and you can 

help your client get the outcome they 

deserve.” 

She also likes the challenge of 

using legal arguments that aren’t 

straightforward, that force her to think 

creatively and which help a client with 

a difficult or stressful situation, where 

she can pull things together to get the 

desired result. 

Cornegé and Searancke (Ngāti 

Maniapoto) are both recommended 

lawyers in The Legal 500 Asia 

Pacific, an annual publication that 

provides unbiased commentary and 

insight into law firms and lawyers in 

25 Asia Pacific jurisdictions. 

Searancke is a partner in the Tompkins 

Wake property team specialising in 

leasing and commercial property 

transactions. She works with developers 

and investors across their commercial 

property portfolios for sales and 

acquisitions, due diligence, and 

financing. She also has strengths in local 

government property law working with 

local authorities throughout the central 

North Island. 

In addition, Searancke leads the firm’s 

Māori business practice and works with 

local government and private entities, 

advising on complex Māori land law 

issues and on working effectively with 

Māori and iwi engagement ensuring 

seamless advice for whānau, hapū and 

iwi clients. 

Searancke is also a director of Hamilton 

Airport. It’s a far cry from where she 

began her career straight out of Waikato 

Law School. 

“I came from Te Awamutu, and my 

first experience in the corporate world 

was in Auckland as a summer clerk at 

one of the big five law firms. That took 

some getting used to. The hours were 

long, sometimes we’d finish at 4am 

and be back at work by eight. I’d been 

a competitive sports person but the 

competitiveness in the workplace was 

really tough.” 

She says it took her three or four 

years to find her legal niche, to find a 

team of people she was comfortable 

working with. 

It took some adjustment again when 

Searancke decided to leave the large 

corporate environment in Auckland to 

move with her family to the Waikato and 

join Tompkins Wake. But she says it’s 

turned out to be a good move for herself 

and her family. It’s been great for their 

lifestyle. 

Both Searancke and Cornegé say law 

firms have changed a lot over the years 

for the better. 

“They’ve had to,” Searancke says. 

“I think we’ve become a lot less 

hierarchical and a lot less formal. 

The current generation has different 

expectations on what they want from 

a legal provider. They want advice to 

be useful, and as lawyers we need to 

understand how our clients think and 

operate. We’ve got to have a long-term 

relationship with them, be part of their 

journey.” 

And the competitiveness that still exists 

in some law firms doesn’t happen at 

Tompkins Wake, Searancke says. 

“Rather than competing, we feel 

supported by our peers. And we get to 

work with some remarkable women, 

clients and colleagues,” she says. 

A successful change leader, Kate 

Cornegé is a member of the Tompkins 

Wake Working Parents’ Forum, helping 

her colleagues and the firm create better 

options for optimising whole-life balance. 

“In my team of 11, for instance, five of us 

are working part-time and have flexible 

hours. We’re all mothers, and we also 

have people working reduced hours for 

other reasons. I think people need a 

degree of flexibility. It works well for us.” 

And as partners in a busy law practice 

comes the added responsibility for both 

women of being in charge of their own 

practice as well as providing support 

and mentoring for junior staff in their 

teams. “There’s a sense of autonomy,” 

Searancke says. “It’s like running your 

own little business.” 

P 07 839 4771 

www.tompkinswake.co.nz 

Westpac House, Level 8, 430 Victoria Street, Hamilton



Wāhine Māia, 

Wāhine Toa 

Leaders in Law 

Every decision Waikato-based law firm 

McCaw Lewis makes is driven by three 

core values: Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga 

and Whāia te iti Kahurangi. 

L-R McCaw Lewis Senior Associates Jessica Middleton and Kylee Katipo, Executive 

Director Renika Siciliano, and Directors Amanda Hockley and Laura Monahan. 

It is through this lens that the firm has fostered a talented, 

passionate and driven group of female leaders. 

Renika Siciliano, of Waikato-Maniapoto descent, took 

on the role of Executive Director in 2020 and over the past 

year four other women have been promoted into leadership 

positions. Laura Monahan and Amanda Hockley stepped up 

into Directorship, while Kylee Katipo and Jessica Middleton 

were appointed as Senior Associates. 

Nurturing legal talent and leadership is one of Renika’s 

top priorities. “McCaw Lewis’ biggest strength is its people. 

We have an incredible team of legal minds and support staff 

who deserve to work in an environment where their talents 

can flourish and shine” she said. The importance of whānau 

and kotahitanga at McCaw Lewis means the leadership team 

regularly review how the firm is performing from an equality 

standpoint, and any implications for unconscious bias are 

challenged. 

McCaw Lewis’ whānau-first approach has enabled all 

staff to seek and establish a healthy balance between mahi 

and family. This has been especially important for Renika, 

Laura and Amanda, all of whom have young tamariki. As the 

mum of two young sons, and leader of the firm’s asset planning 

practise, Amanda says “It’s hugely rewarding setting 

an example for my boys of what can be achieved through 

dedication to something worth fighting for.” 

Laura, who co-leads McCaw Lewis’ commercial practise, 

is passionate about helping her clients with their business 

goals. “Clients need me to understand the issue or opportunity 

and provide advice or act for them in a way which will 

support positive outcomes – essentially it’s seeing problems 

and opportunities and getting it done” said Laura about her 

approach to work. 

Kylee Katipo (Waikato) works in the areas of Māori 

land law and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Her appointment to 

Senior Associate recognised the growing role she has as a 

leader in her team and the wider firm. Kylee is currently 

playing an active role in the Mana Wāhine Inquiry and 

recently wrote an article discussing how wāhine Māori, 

through the Inquiry, are reshaping and solidifying the narrative 

with respect to wāhine Māori, through both a historic 

and contemporary lens. 

The recent promotion of Jessica Middleton to Senior 

Associate reflects her talent as a lawyer, commitment to 

her clients, and the important role she plays in the firm’s 

commercial practise and wider McCaw Lewis whānau. “I’m 

excited to have an opportunity to further develop those skills, 

to bring out the best in myself and the people I work with” 

said Jessica. 

To mark International Women’s day, the firm invited 

wāhine to be supported through a tuakana-teina relationship 

aimed at continuing to foster the growth and development 

of their up and coming wāhine. The firm plans to offer the 

programme more widely in the future. 

“The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 was 

‘Choose To Challenge’. As lawyers, we challenge the law, 

our colleagues and ourselves – and we challenge inequality 

and gender bias. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate 

women’s achievements” said Renika. 

Founded in 1919, McCaw Lewis has grown to become 

one of Waikato’s leading law firms, with a team of about 40 

staff specialising in commercial, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, property, 

dispute resolution, asset planning, environmental/natural 

resources, workplace law and Māori land. 

Level 6/586 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204 | 07 838 2079 | www.mccawlewis.co.nz 

Profiling Asset 

Recruitment 

For more than 30 years, the Asset 

Recruitment team has been aligning great 

candidates with great opportunities, 

and ‘positioning excellence’ throughout 

Waikato. 

Manager and Temporary Recruitment Consultant 

Carmel Strange has been with Asset for almost 30 of 

those years. “I began my time with Asset as the frontline 

administrator and very quickly realised I’d fallen into 

an industry that I love,” says Carmel. “I have always been a 

person who strives to achieve, and I do not shy away from 

challenging when I believe there’s a better way to do something.” 

Carmel says this is encouraged throughout the sixstrong 

team of remarkable women that is Asset Recruitment. 

Executive Recruitment Consultant, Judy Davison has 

been with the company for more than 24 years. Judy says 

she believes a big part of Asset’s success is based on building 

relationships and being extremely particular about finding 

the right fit for both job-seeker and employer. “Our mantra is 

to “position excellence” which means as much as it’s about 

matching the best candidate to the role we’re tasked with 

recruiting, it’s also about identifying the candidate who is 

most likely to stay with the company and share their vision.” 

Asset’s temporary industrial recruitment is run by Pearl 

Parsons, who sources hard-working staff to fill a range of 

roles. “Both my area of the business, and Carmel’s area are 

very fast-paced as we place candidates into temporary roles, 

often required with not much notice,” says Pearl. “What I’ve 

found working with the team for just over two years, is that 

it’s a very supportive environment. Everyone jumps in and 

helps when needed, plus we have the most amazing admin 

team that holds it all together.” Frontline Administrator, 

Aysha Townsend and Recruitment Coordinator, Shaye Tudor 

have been an integral part of the Asset team for a collective 

15 years. 

When discussing the current recruitment market, 

Permanent Recruitment Consultant, Judith Bright says, “It’s 

challenging at the moment, we’re finding that top talent is 

hesitant to make a move. Employers are realising and recognising 

how important it is to foster a positive work environment, 

look after their teams, and retain their exceptional 

employees.” “I think there’s also a feeling of company loyalty 

from employees following the hardships from the global 

pandemic. Then add to the mix employees may be favouring 

job security at the moment rather than looking for a new 

Carmel, Judy, Pearl, Judith, Shaye, Aysha 

I began my time with Asset as the 

front-line administrator and very 

quickly realised I’d fallen into an 

industry that I love 

opportunity.” Judith says, from a recruitment perspective it 

may take a little longer to successfully fill a role compared to 

the pre-COVID market. “This also means companies looking 

to hire need to ensure their offering is on-point if they want to 

convince top talent to make a move to their business.” 

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Carmel says, “It hasn’t 

been an easy ride for any business.” “I believe what’s helped 

Asset through is the relationships we have with our clients 

and candidates. Some of these relationships span many years 

and we are very grateful for their continued support.” She 

also comments on the support of the Asset team, “We have all 

worked together, been flexible when adapting to the recent 

challenges of the market, and been supportive of each other. 

I am extremely proud of our team and feel truly fortunate to 

be surrounded by such remarkable women.” 

| Phone: 07 839 3685 | www.assetrec.co.nz | Level 10, KPMG Centre85 Alexandra Street, 

205171AC


37 

When an employee’s resignation 

becomes a dismissal 

Receiving a long-awaited resignation from 

a troublesome employee may, at first blush, 

look like an employer’s dream come true. 

But all too quickly the 

dream can become a 

nightmare when that 

same employee subsequently 

raises a personal grievance 

(PG) for constructive dismissal. 

A bewildered employer 

could be forgiven for thinking, 

“Surely this is not a dismissal, 

it was the employee 

who resigned and I have the 

resignation letter to prove 

it!” However, constructive 

dismissal claims should not 

be confused with unjustified 

dismissal claims, the latter 

being where the employer 

did dismiss the employee, but 

the employee claims that the 

dismissal was unfair. 

A constructive dismissal, 

simply defined, is where an 

employee resigns but claims 

the conduct of the employer 

left them no other option. 

There are three main categories 

of constructive dismissal. 

The first is the most obvious, 

where an employee is 

told to resign, or they will be 

facing dismissal. This might 

happen when the employee 

is facing disciplinary action 

and the employer decides to 

save everyone all a bit of time 

and stress by just asking the 

employee to resign, to avoid an 

inevitable dismissal. 

The second is where the 

employee claims the employer 

embarked on a course of conduct 

with the deliberate and 

dominant purpose of coercing 

an employee to resign, such 

as setting unachievable goals 

and/or unacceptable work 

conditions, or claiming there 

are issues with the employee’s 

performance that are not true. 

The third category is where 

the employer has breached the 

employer’s duties. The duty 

might be one or more of the 

expressed duties set out in the 

individual employment agreement 

(IEA) or an implied duty, 

such as acting in good faith or 

acting in a fair and reasonable 

manner. 

A constructive dismissal 

grievance (like the majority of 

PGs) must be raised within 90 

calendar days of the employment 

terminating, although 

the period for claiming underpayments 

such as wage arrears 

and Minimum Wage and Holiday 

Act payments, are claimable 

for six years following the 

act or omission coming to the 

employee’s attention. 

The onus for proving on 

the balance of probability 

(meaning what’s more likely 

than not) that the employee 

was constructively dismissed 

falls firmly on the employee, 

and the threshold for demonstrating 

that the employee was 

left with no other option but to 

resign is high. For that reason, 

it is one of the more difficult 

PGs for an employee to successfully 

pursue. 

But let’s face it, if you can 

avoid a PG, even one with 

slim prospects of success, why 

wouldn’t you? Employment 

law is very much a case of 

an ounce of prevention being 

worth a pound of cure. 

So here are some tips as to 

what an employer can do to 

try and avoid constructive dismissal 

claims. 

• Never offer an employee 

the option between resignation 

or dismissal, not even 

if you think it is “off the 

record” or “without prejudice” 

as it is likely it will 

be neither, and this proposal 

can then be used as evidence 

in litigation. There is 

also the danger that by making 

such a proposal you are 

showing predetermination 

of a disciplinary outcome, 

before the disciplinary process 

has been completed. 

That is another big no-no; 

EMPLOYMENT LAW 

> BY ERIN BURKE 

Employment lawyer and director at Practica Legal 

Email: erin@practicalegal.co.nz phone: 027 459 3375 

• Be rigorous with your documentation. 

If an employee 

is underperforming, inform 

them of this in writing, at 

the time the issues arise, 

and let them know you 

have concerns. If the performance 

does not improve 

then the employer needs to 

propose a formal performance 

improvement plan 

(PIP) so the concerns are 

very clearly spelled out 

and documented, and the 

improvement the employer 

needs to see is also clearly 

conveyed, along with allowing 

a reasonable period of 

time for the employee to 

improve; 

• Ensure that prior to taking 

any actions such as changing 

an employee’s duties, 

hours or pay, that you have 

thoroughly checked the IEA 

and that you can in fact lawfully 

do what you are doing. 

IEAs are not something that 

the parties sign and then 

just gets thrown in the bottom 

drawer, never to be 

seen again. IEAs are basically 

workplace wedding 

vows between an employer 

and an employee, containing 

the agreed rules of how 

the relationship will work. 

The IEA should be checked 

every time there is some 

unfavourable or significant 

action that an employer is 

proposing to embark on. If 

the IEA allows changes to 

hours and duties, for example, 

it will usually state that, 

but will also often prescribe 

the process such as ‘by 

mutual agreement in writing’ 

or ‘following consultation 

with the employee’. 

If you fail to do that, then 

you have breached the IEA, 

which could give rise to the 

third category of constructive 

dismissal; and 

• Do not engage in any 

course of conduct designed 

to coerce the employee to 

resign. You may think your 

secret plan is only in your 

head, but the cumulative 

actions that an employee 

can reasonably prove 

occurred could very much 

turn that ‘secret plan’ into 

a concrete blueprint in the 

eyes of the Employment 

Relations Authority. 

If an employer acts as a fair 

and reasonable employer, and 

the documentation shows that, 

it will certainly make successfully 

pursuing a constructive 

dismissal claim even more difficult 

than it already is for an 

employee. 

Working together across 

the Central North Island 

TELLING WAIKATO’S STORY 

> BY JASON DAWSON 

Chief Executive, 

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism 

As we rebuild the visitor 

economy and compete 

for the domestic visitor 

dollar, we have been working 

collaboratively with our neighbouring 

regions to grow visitation 

and enhance our events 

portfolio. 

Our largest collaboration is 

with six regions in the Central 

North Island on the ‘Get Out 

More NZ’ marketing campaign 

showcasing the big adventures 

that can be had within a short 

travelling distance, with a 

humorous twist. 

Phase one of the campaign 

poked fun at some of the family 

lockdown experiences that 

we all shared and encouraged 

Kiwis to ‘Get Out More’ now 

that we can travel safely again. 

The Coastal Bay of Plenty, 

Hamilton & Waikato, Rotorua, 

Ruapehu, Tairāwhiti Gisborne 

and Taupō are promoting 

Kiwis to take a themed-roadie 

(road trip) through the diverse 

landscapes in the central North 

Island as part of the latest 

phase of the campaign. 

With New Zealand’s borders 

closed, the only lifeforce 

for New Zealand’s tourism 

industry is the domestic 

market. In a country of just 

five million people with 32 

regional tourism organisations, 

competition between tourism 

marketing entities is fierce. 

We are also partnering 

together attending consumer 

shows around the North Island 

under the ‘Get Out More NZ’ 

collective as well. Our next 

major consumer activation will 

be at Fieldays 2021 from 16-19 

June at Mystery Creek. To be 

inspired around roadies in the 

Central North Island, check out 

www.getoutmorenz.com 

Another significant partnership 

underway is the new 

$3.75m Regional Events Fund 

which collectively covers the 

regions of Waikato, Rotorua, 

Taupō and Ruapehu. The four 

regions previously worked 

together in international longhaul 

markets around the Thermal 

Explorer Highway. Due to 

Covid-19 and continued international 

border closures, we 

have partnered together around 

developing a collective events 

portfolio. 

We know that hosting major 

and business events are crucial 

to lead the economic and social 

recovery of the Waikato region. 

Tourism New Zealand research 

indicates that up to one-third 

of domestic travel is primarily 

driven by people looking to 

participate in events. 

We are currently in the first 

round of the Regional Events 

Fund process with 82 Expressions 

of Interest received 

requesting over $16 million in 

total funding with half of the 

applications for new events 

across the four regions. 

Funded by the Government, 

the lifespan of the Regional 

Events Fund is 2-3 years to 

drive additional domestic visitation 

into our regions. The 

fund is intended to support 

the tourism and events sector, 

while replacing some of 

the spend from international 

tourists as a result of Covid- 

19. To find out more, visit 

www.waikatonz.com/industry/ 

thermal-explorer-highwayregional-events-fund 

Another first for our region 

is partnering with Auckland 

Unlimited (previously ATEED) 

on a joint venture marketing 

campaign to encourage residents 

to enjoy experiences in 

their extended backyard. 

The campaign based on the 

familiar expression ‘love thy 

neighbour’ targets Auckland 

and Waikato residents. It is 

designed to encourage travel 

around the two regions during 

autumn by showcasing activities 

and attractions across five 

themes – nature, active breaks, 

family, relaxation and wellness, 

and food. 

Using ‘if you love this, 

you’ll love that’ messaging, 

the campaign highlights favourite 

Auckland and Waikato 

locations and activities based 

on travellers’ passions, and 

encourages them to try similar 

offerings in the other region. 

The campaign was born 

out of the acknowledgement 

that the two regions are key 

visitor markets for each other 

and wanting to support each 

other’s visitor economies after 

what has been a challenging 

year. 

We want to extend the 

manaakitanga to our Auckland 

neighbours, and through this 

campaign we want to inspire 

them to visit some of the best 

spots in the Waikato that match 

the things they love to do in 

Auckland. 

To find out more, visit : 

www.waikatonz.com/lovethis or 

www.aucklandnz.com/love-thislove-that 

and use the hashtags 

#lovethis, #mightywaikato and 

#visitauckland.


Development & Project 

Management team 

behind Rototuna Village 

for Kirkdale Investments Ltd. 

Our team of property development 

and project management experts 

have been making projects real in the 

Waikato since 2012 

www.veros.co.nz 

info@veros.co.nz 

07 838 2887

ROTOTUNA VILLAGE 


39 

Rototuna Village 

proves drawcard for 

commercial tenants 

Rototuna Village’s new office and retail 

building will open fully tenanted as the 

burgeoning area proves a drawcard for 

business. 

The paired buildings at 

the entrance to the new 

community centre in 

the north of Hamilton have 

been issued their code compliance 

certificate, with some 

retail outlets already open and 

the finishing touches to other 

tenant fitouts being completed. 

Development manager 

Gareth Strawbridge, of Veros, 

says it is an up-and-coming 

area for tenants. 

“There was a desire to be 

part of an exciting community 

that is growing in the north.” 

The high-profile buildings, 

which set the tone for stage 1 

of the new centre, are situated 

on the corner of Borman Road 

and North City Road in Rototuna 

North. 

The sought-after north 

Hamilton location, with a 

growing population, has 

played a part in attracting tenants, 

while the neighbouring 


Paul Enright, left, and Gareth Strawbridge at Rototuna Village. 

We are proud to have 

been the Architectural 

Designers chosen for 

this land mark project 

Byrne & Enright Architecture is an award-winning 

architectural design practice with more than 30 years' 

industry experience. 

We provide an extensive range of architectural and 

development consultation services from our modern 

offices overlooking the vibrant Rototuna Village 

complex in Hamilton, New Zealand. 

07 839 5774 

admin@designers.net.nz 

www.designers.net.nz






From page 39 

supermarket is also appealing 

for retailers, Strawbridge says. 

He says the quality of the 

building has been a key factor 

for the developers, Kirkdale 

Investments, who wanted to 

deliver a long-term generational 

investment. Kirkdale 

have a strong connection with 

the land, having previously 

formed part of the family farm. 

Kirkdale engaged Hamilton 

Each Rototuna Village building looks like a series of individual buildings, achieved through features such as a series of gables. 

firm Byrne & Enright to design 

the buildings, each with retail/ 

hospitality tenancies on the 

ground floor and office space 

on the upper level, with a 

design intent to form the gateway 

into the wider Rototuna 

Village. The main contractor 

has been Form Building & 

Developments who has helped 

deliver this vision. 

The two buildings comprise 

the first commercial development 

following the supermarket, 

and will be supported by 

surrounding commercial, residential 

and amenity developments 

with a focus on community 

and connectivity. 

“This is the first commercial 

stage that forms part of a 

wider structure plan that has 

been earmarked for 10 years.” 

It is about setting the tone 

for the balance of the development, 

Strawbridge says. 

“A key overall theme is 

around connectivity – providing 

a master planned community 

where people can 

work, live and play.” 

All seven ground level 

retail and hospitality spaces 

were leased before construction 

started, while most of the 

office spaces were leased once 

building was underway or 

completed. There are 10 office 

spaces, ranging from 143 to 

55sq m. 

Having the building fully 

leased following the past 

12 months with Covid-19 is 

a great achievement, with 

Vaughan Heslop from Lodge 

Commercial driving the leasing 

campaign. 

There has certainly been 

challenges from construction 

halting during lockdown, but 

tenants who had signed up 

have committed to the project, 

Strawbridge says. 

Office occupants include a 

range of professional service 

providers with retail comprising 

a good mix of food and 

beverage operators as well as 

service retailers. 

The feedback that 

we've got is people 

enjoy being around 

the buildings, that it 

looks like a village 

as opposed to a 

shopping mall and it's 

quite inviting, which 

is what we were 

trying to achieve. 

Byrne & Enright’s Paul 

Enright says they were first 

engaged as designers around 

2015, with the consenting 

process taking longer than 

normal because of the requirements 

imposed by a Comprehensive 

Development Plan 

(CDP) for the area. 

Once the resource consents 

were sorted out, however, he 

says the construction phase 

was rapid. “There wasn't a 

quiet moment within the last 

year or so during construction.” 

One of the design criteria 

was that each building had to 

look like a series of individual 

buildings, as opposed to one 

monolithic structure. That led 

to such features as a series of 

gables, and a variety of claddings 

including bricks to create 

the impression of separate 

smaller structures amongst one 

overall theme. 

Enright says the buildings 

change in style along their 

length, from a residential flavour 

closest to Borman Road 

to more commercial contemporary 

near the roundabout, 

which acknowledges the residential 

surrounds as well as the 

commercial aspect of the new 

village centre. 

Byrne & Enright were able 

to draw on what they learned 

from the Lone Star mixed used 

building they designed on the 

corner of Hukanui and Thomas 

Roads in Rototuna, paying 

close attention to the needs of 

retail and commercial tenants, 

and flexing as required. 

In fact, they have moved 

their office from that earlier 

building to the new one. “The 

opportunity came to move 

into here and we're more than 

happy to do that because it's a 

great showcase for us, one of 

our latest projects, one of our 

biggest ones and we're really 

proud of it,” Enright says. 

“I think the outcome really 

ticked the boxes in the CDP 

principles, what they were 

trying to achieve. 


Proud to be associated 

with Rototuna Village 

Build 

www.visually.org.nz 

• Driveway and 

carpark construction 

• Cartage 

• Repairs 

• Siteworks 

• Drainage 

• Bulk excavation, 

demolition and 

siteworks 

• Tarsealing 

• All kerbing 

requirements 

Unit A2 (First Floor), North City Road, Rototuna North, Hamilton 

205473AA

The team at Form Building 

and Developments are proud 

to deliver the Rototuna Town 

Centre Project 

Our team successfully 

managed all aspects of the 

$9.6m project, including 

design management, 

consenting and construction 

of this prestigious retail and 

office development, which 

provides the gateway to 

Rototuna Village. 

Attention to detail was 

crucial with a design that 

called for a variety of materials 

and finishes across the two 

buildings, including a transition 

from a residential look near 

Borman Road to a more 

commercial style in keeping 

with Fergy Place. 

meant traffic and pedestrian 

management were key areas to 

manage to ensure health and 

safety compliance at all times. 

The construction phase of the 

two blocks, with a combined 

seven retail stores on the 

ground floor and 10 office 

tenancies on the first floor, 

was completed in under a year 

despite the impact of Covid-19. 

We are delighted to have 

been involved in this 

important development for 

north Hamilton. 

Working on a site with 

perimeter access limited by 

surrounding development 

Auckland | Waikato | Bay of Plenty | www.formnz.co.nz | info@formnz.co.nz 

Commercial Residential Industrial Remediation Education Fitout Retail






From page 40 

J2429P 


preferred supplier 

of Aluminium joinery 

for the Rototuna 

Village build 

Regal Joinery 

102 Kent St Hamilton 

Phone: 07-847 9882 

regal.joinery@xtra.co.nz 

“The feedback that we've 

got is people enjoy being 

around the buildings, that 

it looks like a village as 

opposed to a shopping mall 

and it's quite inviting, which 

is what we were trying to 

achieve. We have something 

that will draw people to it and 

create a vibrant space.” 

The surrounding area is set 

to have a library, an aquatic 

centre, a bus interchange and 

public square, along with a 

mix of general, medium and 

high density housing. 

Strawbridge says latest 

stages of general residential 

zoned housing have sold 

out, with a medium density 

development in design. Veros 

are managing the design 

and consenting for Kirkdale 

who, he says, are wanting to 

develop high quality medium 

density housing, with a focus 

on urban design and amenity. 

Strawbridge says Hamilton 

City Council are due 

to start the library build 

this year, while Summerset 

retirement village is close 

to completion. 

Nearby, Rototuna High 

School is also about to start 

design for new buildings and 

Hamilton Christian School is 

set to kick off a programme 

for new classrooms , he says. 

“There is a lot going on 

in the area that is attracting a 

large amount of enquiry from 

residents and businesses. 

This is certainly an exciting 

time for Rototuna,” he says. 

Veros’ participation in 

the development started 

in mid-2018. 

The firm has been involved 

from the concept design 

stage, working through initial 

feasibility and site investigations, 

then driving design 

and procurement, overseeing 

construction of the building 

contract and is also the asset 

manager now the building 

is complete. “It has been a 

privilege to be involved in 

the project with Kirkdale, 

and provide Veros’ full cycle 

of services from concept to 

delivery,” says Strawbridge 

who has been involved from 

the start. 

“The Village is a great 

outcome for Rototuna North, 

and is a project that Kirkdale, 

Veros, Byrne & Enright 

and Form Construction are 

very proud of.” 

THE CHOICE IS 

EASY, WE WALK 

THE WALK 

Many businesses talk about 

sustainability, we walk the walk. 

Fosters is proud to be the only 

construction company in NZ 

to hold both Toitū carbonzero 

and enviromark diamond 

certifications. 

Trust Fosters to deliver 

sustainable outcomes for our 

communities and for your 

commercial property projects.


43 

It is not a loophole 

TAXATION AND THE LAW 

> BY HAYDEN FARROW 

Hayden Farrow is a PwC Partner based in the Waikato office. 

Email: hayden.d.farrow@pwc.com 

Let’s start with clarifying something. The fact residential landlords 

have been able to claim a tax deduction for mortgage interest is 

not a ‘loophole’. 

A 

fundamental principle 

of New Zealand’s tax 

system is that a person’s 

tax liability is calculated 

based on their profit. This is a 

function of gross rent received, 

minus expenses, i.e. rates, 

insurance and interest. The 

same principle applies broadly 

to our tax system in its entirety. 

I can hear a few people saying, 

but capital gains are not taxed 

and that is profit. Yes, that’s 

true. But until an elected Government 

introduces a capital 

gains tax (and stays in power 

to get it passed) we do not tax 

capital amounts. 

There’s no denying that 

housing affordability in New 

Zealand is a significant issue, 

with the housing market in 

New Zealand becoming the 

least affordable in the OECD. 

In the month of February 

alone the median house price 

increased by $50,000 according 

to REINZ. When the Government 

was elected, it said 

it would address the housing 

crisis without introducing any 

additional taxes. 

But now under the Government’s 

recent housing 

policy announcement, interest 

payments on residential rental 

properties acquired on or after 

March 27, 2021 will no longer 

be deductible. Interest incurred 

on debt relating to properties 

acquired before March 27, 

2021 will be phased out from 

October 1, 2021. Over the next 

four years, interest deductions 

will decrease by 25 percent 

each year until the 2025-26 

income year when interest 

payments will become non-deductible. 

New builds will be 

excluded from the new non-deduction 

rule; however the 

detail is yet to be determined. 

But one can foresee a scenario 

in which investors will favour 

new builds and given the lack 

of supply, this is likely to fuel 

prices even more. Especially 

if old stock is sold to purchase 

new to retain interest deductions, 

which could then reduce 

the price of old stock. 

Changes are also being 

made to the bright line test 

which taxes the sale of residential 

property within a prescribed 

time frame, excluding 

the main home. Currently 

the bright line period is five 

years, having been previously 

increased from two years since 

its introduction in 2015. The 

Government announced that 

the bright line test will be 

increased from five years to 

10 years for residential properties 

purchased after March 27, 

2021. However, the existing 

five year period will continue 

to apply for new builds. 

The exclusion for the “main 

home” has been applied on an 

all or nothing basis until now. 

If the property was “predominantly” 

a main home for the 

period of ownership it is not 

taxable on sale. This is also 

being amended. For residential 

properties purchased after 

March 27, 2021, a sale will 

be taxable to the extent it is 

not used as the owner’s main 

home for more than 12 months 

at a time. If the property was 

purchased before March 27, 

2021 the main home exclusion 

continues to apply on an all or 

nothing basis. 

Consultation will also be 

completed on whether interest 

that was denied could be 

claimed if the sale of the property 

is taxable on sale due to 

application of the bright line 

provision. 

I think we can all acknowledge 

that the house price 

increases we have seen 

recently are unsustainable and 

put the sector at risk. But most 

people agree it is a product of 

a lack of supply and the cheap 

cost of debt. Denying interest 

deductions, thereby increasing 

the cost of debt, whilst 

also artificially favouring new 

builds may help supply. But 

this is not the first time policies 

have been implemented to 

curb house price inflation. To 

date, depreciation deductions 

have been denied, rental losses 

ring fenced, the bright line 

test was introduced and then 

increased from two years to 

five, and yet prices continued 

to increase. 

Let’s hope that the Government’s 

supply side measures 

gain momentum and 

that the rampant property 

price inflation we are 

seeing is suppressed by more 

housing coming available for 

New Zealanders. 

The comments in this article 

of a general nature and should 

not be relied on for specific 

cases. Taxpayers should seek 

specific advice. 

Building/Construction Services 

3 Businesses + Freehold $1,950,000 

Waikato 

· Licensed café, accommodation 

· Online frozen food delivery service 

· 5 bedroom 2.5 bathroom family home 

· Freehold 1.5 hectares 

· Captive local market. Real opportunity! 

· Price plus gst (if any) 

$650,000 


· High-prole, well established 60yrs+ 

· Servicing residential & commercial market 

· Diversied, steady income streams 

· EBPITDA working owner approx. $300k in 

2020 

· Excellent vendor assistance included in sale 

linkbusiness.co.nz/WK00126 

Rick Johnson 021 991 485 

rick.johnson@linkbusiness.co.nz 

linkbusiness.co.nz/BOP00185 

Carron Chote 027 289 6658 

carron.chote@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Beauty & Massage Clinic $230,000 

Hamilton 

· Fantastic history & reputation 

· Easy parking 

· Quality chattels & well presented 

· Established staff, owner keen stay as 

contractor 

· Cash surplus approx $130K 


Alanah Eagle 021 606 345 

alanah.eagle@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Franchise Restaurant $140,000 

Hamilton 

· Great location, central Hamilton 

· Well established & loyal clientele 

· Plenty of street parking 

· Spacious seating area for 100+ 

· Big functional kitchen 

· Full liquor licensed premises 


Therese Bailey 021 707 641 

therese.bailey@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Is now a 

good time 

to sell? Yes! 

The demand for businesses to buy is strong. 

Demand is most certainly outstripping supply 

when it comes to business sales, with the 

number of monthly sales at it’s peak. 

All LINK NZ ofces are licensed REAA08 

2 Childcare Centres + Consultancy 

$1,300,000 


· Multiple income streams 

· High tangible asset value 

· Support organisations wishing to engage with 

Maori 

· Whanau support services 

· Business management advice 

linkbusiness.co.nz/BOP00044 

Roger Brockelsby 027 919 5478 

roger.brockelsby@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Floor Polish & Grinding $215,000 

Hamilton 

· Long-standing, well-established 

· Solid relationships & excellent reputation 

· Strong forward workload 

· Great assets; competent staff 

· Thorough handover & training provided 


Reuben Haddon-Silby 021 133 0624 

reuben.haddonsilby@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Alarms & Security $484,500 


· Established 20yrs+ servicing businesses, 

holiday homes & residential 

· Includes vehicles & well optimised website 

· All training provided by current owner 

· Recurring revenue from alarm monitoring, 

security patrol & installing alarm systems 

linkbusiness.co.nz/BPW00439 

Mike Chote 027 555 1176 

mike.chote@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Children’s Entertainment $499,000 

Hamilton 

· Perfect for rst time business owners 

· A simple & proven business model 

· Working owner would expect to earn $170K+ 

· Well recognised and trusted brand 

· Strong lease, quality business with quality 

returns! 


Alanah Eagle 021 606 345 

alanah.eagle@linkbusiness.co.nz 

As a result of new government legislation 

buyers are now realising that investing in a 

business makes economic sense. 

LINK offer no-obligation business appraisals 

to understand how your business would 

present to the market and what may be 

required to prepare your business for sale. 

If selling your business is on the radar now 

or in the near future, call us today for a 

condential chat. 

22 Naylor Street 

Hamilton 

0800 225 999 

LINKBUSINESS.CO.NZ

Hamilton Christian School - Operations Executive Esré Bezuidenhout & Principal Shaun Brooker 

EIGHT OF THE 30 YEAR-OLD CLASSROOMS 

at Hamilton Christian School have been given 

a whole new lease on life by Foster Maintain. 

This was stage one of a four-year master 

plan to double the school’s capacity to 850 

students. 

A project that will involve both Foster 

Maintain and Foster Construction, the school 

will be transformed with 24 new classrooms, 

a new administration block, a new gym and 

further refurbishment work. In addition, there 

will be some earthworks as the campus is 

reshaped to provide better sports facilities. 

Principal Shaun Brooker and Operations 

Executive Esré Bezuidenhout say that 

working with the Foster Group has been both 

easy and advantageous for the School. 

“We have complete trust in Fosters” says 

Shaun, “they get who we are as a School and 

the environment we want to create. 

“They also understand where we are 

financially and what our needs are” he adds. 

“Always focused on outcomes, they ask the 

right questions. Their expertise in materials, 

accessibility and Council regulations has been 

invaluable. 

“Importantly for us, they keep a good balance 

so that the School can keep working. Their 

ability to safely work around our needs has 

been a breath of fresh air.” 

Esré concurs. “The Fosters team is really 

resourceful. We ask for a lot and they always 

deliver. They field issues without us even 

knowing about it and often do stuff that isn’t 

expected of them - like helping a teacher 

to move classrooms! Nothing is too much 

trouble. 

“We look forward to the rest of our journey 

with Fosters.” 

FOSTERS.CO.NZ . 07 849 3849


All-New D-Max: 

The Safest One Yet 

Redefining the standards for safety, 

the All-New Isuzu D-Max is the first vehicle 

to be tested in Australasia against the new 

stringent 2020 ANCAP testing and rating 

criteria—achieving a maximum 5 star safety 

rating across the entire Isuzu D-Max range. 

In the official ANCAP statement announcing 

the maximum 5 star safety 

rating result, ANCAP commended 

Isuzu for democratising safety across 

the entire range, stating that “all 

variants in the D-Max range provide 

the same high level safety features, 

technologies and performance as 

standard.” 

For 2020, ANCAP overhauled their 

testing regime, to better reflect common 

crash scenarios and the types of 

vehicles on the roads. The new Isuzu 

D-Max was the first vehicle tested by 

ANCAP in Australasia, scoring top marks 

in the majority of disciplines, to earn the 

maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating, 

reinforcing the expectation that the Isuzu 

D-Max was tipped to be one of the safest 

vehicles on New Zealand roads. 

With double cab utes proving popular 

amongst families with young children, 

all D-Max Double Cab models are fitted 

with capacity to accommodate two 

ISOFix child seats, and recorded a score 

of 44 out of 49 points or 89% for Child 

Occupant Protection, which is among 

one of the highest scores awarded by 

ANCAP. 

The All-New Isuzu D-Max is also the 

first ute and one of a small handful of 

vehicles to introduce an additional centre 

airbag across the entire range; including 

the entry-level Single Cab Chassis LX. 

Comprising of dual front, dual side, dual 

full-length curtain, a front knee and a 

centre (far-side) airbag, these supplementary 

restraint systems (SRS) have 

been designed to offer maximum impact 

protection for occupants within the 

D-Max. Embedded within the inner-side 

of the driver’s seat is a new centre 

airbag, designed as a countermeasure 

during side-impacts to protect both front 

occupants from colliding with each other 

and from external intrusion into the cabin 

during a severe side impact. 

Far-side impact performance equates to 

10.5% of the Adult Occupant Protection 

component of the ANCAP score, with 

the All-New Isuzu D-Max scoring a solid 

3.5 out of 4 points in this area. With 8 

airbags within the cabin, including a new 

far-side (centre) airbag, the Isuzu D-Max 

recorded a score of 83% for Adult Occupant 

Protection. 

Encompassing a comprehensive suite of 

driver assistance technologies, Isuzu’s 

Intelligent Driver Assistance System 

(IDAS) utilises radar sensors and an 

advanced 3D stereo binocular camera 

system that precisely detects and 

measures distance, size, velocity and 

depth of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists 

and other potential obstacles around 

the D-Max. Proving to be more accurate 

and effective than a monocular camera 

“ 

and radar system, Isuzu’s IDAS enables 

advanced active safety systems such as 

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) 

with Turn Assist, Forward Collision 

Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control 

(ACC), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), 

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear 

Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Keep 

Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning 

(LDW), Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) 

and many more potentially life-saving 

features. 

With a focus on occupant and the safety 

of other road users, Isuzu is among the 

first to introduce AEB with Turn Assist, 

with the system able to autonomously 

brake at intersections to avoid driving 

into the path of an oncoming vehicle. 

With this new active safety technology 

standardised across every D-Max, the 

Isuzu D-Max recorded a score of 81% 

for Safety Assist. 

From the beginning, the Isuzu engineering 

and design team have been working 

in co-operation with ANCAP to ensure 

the All-New Isuzu D-Max is up to the 

current and future safety standards. 

The D-MAX rating 

has been highly 

anticipated by fleet 

and private buyers, 

and re-establishes the 

safety benchmark for 

the competitive ute 

segment which has 

traditionally tended to 

lag that of passenger 

cars and SUVs.

$2,000 

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3 YEARS SCHEDULED 

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DRIVER ATTENTION ALERT 

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL 

BLIND SPOT MONITORING 

8 AIRBAGS 

LANE KEEPING 

MISACCELERATION MITIGATION 

AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING 

FORWARD COLLISION WARNING 

More features: 

9” Touchscreen Infotainment | Apple Carplay® and Android Auto® | Satellite Navigation 

| Hill Start Assist | 3.5 Ton towing | Rear Parking Sensors | Reversing Camera 

New Zealand’s safest Ute, with Isuzu Intelligent 

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**See website for full terms and conditions 

TOUGHEN 

THE TRUCK UP 

Ask about adding the 

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BUYING FOR 

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Ask about adding our 

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204-208 Anglesea Street, Hamilton, 3204 | ebbetthamilton.co.nz | 07 838 0949

Waikato Business News March/April 2021

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