December 2022 - Bay of Plenty Business News

DECEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 12 

WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ 

FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS 

EXCLUSIVE 

BOP BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE THEIR 

VIEWS ON THE STATE OF OUR INDUSTRIES 

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In this final 2022 edition we wrap-up by 

reaching out to industry leaders across the 

Bay of Plenty and asking them how they feel 

businesses have coped with the challenges 

of 2022. They outline their expectations for 

the new year ahead – the prospects and 

the challenges – and in this issue they also 

talk about how they expect businesses to be 

performing a year from now. 

Their comments feature in 

Thought Leaders 2022, pages 10-34. 

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1. Andrew Wilson, Rotorua NZ. 2. Kellie Hamlett, Talent ID. 3. Brett O’Riley, EMA. 4. Dr Julian Elder, Scion. 5. Mark Wassung, Design Engine Architects. 6. Ron Hooper, Whakatane Mill. 7. Mike Ranstead, Lexus of Tauranga. 

8. Rachel Woods, +MORE. 9. Wiremu Matthews, Kānuka Wellbeing & Leadership. 10. Nick Kerr, Debt Free NZ. 11. Michael Shaw, Dale Carnegie BOP Waikato. 12. Kate Ashcroft, Copeland Ashcroft. 13. Peter Hawes, Milford 

Tauranga. 14. Mike Bell, Stratus Blue. 15. Dan Mathieson, Zespri. 16. Greg Stringer, Cooney Lees Morgan. 17. Michael Sievwright, Trimax Mowing Systems. 18. Andrea Scatchard, Deloitte. 19. Steven Matthews, LINK 

Business Brokers. 20. Scott McKenzie, PMG. 21. Bridget Snelling, Xero. 22. Simon Short, Property Brokers. 23. Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga. 24. Chad Hooker, Bay Venues. 25. Stewart Vaughan, Winstone Wallboards. 

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0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 

events@bayvenues.co.nz 

81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui 

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FOR KIWI BUSINESS

December 2022 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 3 

Life member induction 

– David Foster 

David Foster has been a long-standing and 

respected lawyer involved in franchising 

for over 25 years. 

Initially working with clients on franchising 

back in 1995, David’s franchising specialty 

grew in 2000 when he moved to Tauranga and 

became involved in the Bay of Plenty chapter 

of the Franchise Association of New Zealand 

(FANZ). 

Over the course of the next 20 years, David 

was actively involved in setting up and running 

FANZ events in the Bay of Plenty region. 

He has long been a strong advocate for franchising 

best practices and was a key influencer 

in the development of the FANZ pre-entry training 

programme for prospective franchisees. 

David has always given time to support 

FANZ; This includes serving on the board for 

nine years, initially as a board member, Vice 

Chairperson, and then Chairperson. 

He also stepped into the role of FANZ International 

Representative, attending both World 

Franchise Council and Asia Pacific regional 

meetings. 

He is well-known for attending most FANZ 

Conferences, award ceremonies and functions in 

Auckland from 2000 to 2020, despite living in 

Tauranga most of that time. 

David was also involved in organising, facilitating, 

and making a number of presentations, 

both at FANZ and international conferences. 

He worked with numerous franchisors and 

franchisees over the years. 

David is well respected as a solicitor and is 

known for his passion for franchising by clients 

and peers alike. 

In October David Foster received a life membership 

induction to the Franchise Association 

of New Zealand. 

David Foster receives his FANZ Life Membership award. 

Take control of your future. 

Buy your own business. 

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LINKBUSINESS.CO.NZ 

Outstanding Sales & Hire Business $6,500,000 

Bay of Plenty 

· Strong market share position 

· Products & Services in high demand 

· Highly profitable cash return, $1.8m for 2022 

· Projected ROI 28% 2023 

· Great reputation, diverse customers 

linkbusiness.co.nz/BOP00468 

Steve Catley 021 341 117 

steve.catley@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Sure To Make A Profit!! $1,200,000 


· Retail & mobile service business 

· Est 30+ years, profitable in good times & bad 

· Product knowledge can be learnt quickly 

· Ave earnings for working owner over $360k 

Fully Managed, Returning $745k $2,500,000 


· Working with Housing NZ 

· Systems, procedures, and processes in place 

· $885k Cash Surplus in ‘22 

· Recognised building company established in 

the BOP for 15 years. 

· Sister branch in lower North Island 


Mike Chote 027 555 1176 

mike.chote@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Great Suburban Café $275,000 

Tauranga 

· Well-established, popular location 

· Sales approx. $10K p.w. $100K surplus to 

working owner 

· Strong lease, reasonable rent, ample parking 

· Little competition, fantastic reputation 

Patented Food Manufacturing $1,625,000 

Tauranga 

· Specialised equipment for food processing 

· Great reputation, forward orders, niche market 

· Revenue $1.5m+, profit $400k+ 

· Suit engineering or electrical background 


Steve Catley 021 341 117 

steve.catley@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Health & Wellness Clinic $75,000 

Tauranga 

· Offers two unique health therapies 

· Currently a solo practice, approx 30 hrs p/w 

· Well established 

· No direct competition 

· Full training provided 


Grant Jacobson 027 454 0432 

grant.jacobson@linkbusiness.co.nz 


Nols Bertram 027 238 1450 

nols.bertram@linkbusiness.co.nz 


Lynda Smyth 021 270 4271 

lynda.smyth@linkbusiness.co.nz 

Achieve top dollar when 

you sell your business 

Buyer demand for businesses is still strong. With baby boomers now 

exiting the business market, buyers are seeing huge opportunities in 

purchasing these well-established businesses. 

Layer on top of that the slower housing market, and more buyers are 

considering business investment - there has never been a better time. 

0800 225 999 

go.linkbusiness.co.nz/sellmybusiness 

All LINK NZ offices are licensed REAA 2008

4 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS December 2022 

THE PORTER REPORT 

A monthly update on the business 

world from leading writer David Porter 

www.bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

PUBLISHER 

Alan Neben, Ph: 021 733 536 

Email: alan@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

EDITORIAL 

Alan Neben, Ph: 021 733 536 

Email: editor@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

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Email: clare@times.co.nz 

ADVERTISING 

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Email: pete@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

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EDITORIAL: News releases/Photos/Letters: 

editor@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

GENERAL INQUIRIES: info@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

Bay of Plenty Business News has a circulation 

of 8000, distributed throughout Bay of Plenty 

between Waihi and Opotiki including Rotorua and 

Taupo, and to a subscription base. 

www.bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

Bay of Plenty Business Publications 

309/424 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, 3116 

Bay of Plenty Business Publications specialises in 

business publishing, advertising, design, print and 

electronic media services. 

In case you missed 

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Leading the party 

I 

worked for many years in 

Hong Kong, adjacent to 

China’s sprawling masses. I 

come from a country that has 

a comparatively minute population, 

with a transparent polity, 

and felt privileged to visit 

and try to understand what was 

happening in China. 

I had always been fascinated 

by how a country so 

vast, with a population of more 

than a billion people, went 

about choosing a leader. Or 

rather, how a Chinese leader 

won and maintained power in 

such circumstances. 

I do recall a senior Chinese-born 

journalist working 

for a British news agency in 

Hong Kong telling me many 

years ago that the biggest 

threat China’s leadership 

would always have to deal 

with was that it could never 

ignore its need to satisfy its 

vast population. 

He tended to believe that 

given the country’s long historical 

experience of unrest, 

a potential revolution was 

always at some point imminent 

if the vast population became 

too dissatisfied. Hence China’s 

generally authoritarian 

approach to governing over the 

decades and the violent crushing 

of protests such as in Tiananmen 

Square. The reason for 

the latter was clear: China had 

closely monitored the Soviet 

Union’s then splintering into 

smaller components and had 

no intention of following the 

same path. 

By contrast, it has been 

almost comic to observe the 

recent mid-term elections in 

the US. And to observe that, 

despite the proliferation of a 

free-speaking media, a much 

smaller population base, and 

its role as a global power, the 

US remains clearly politically 

at odds with itself. 

It has also been a revelation 

to watch how media pundits 

so convincingly got the outcome 

of these elections wrong. 

So not everyone voting loved 

ex-president Trump’s endorsees? 

What a surprise. 

Communication on the 

side-lines 

It was of some international 

comfort to note that US President 

Joe Biden and Chinese 

President Xi Jinping were able 

to meet cordially for talks on 

the side-lines of the recent G20 

meeting in Indonesia. 

The discussions included 

current hot points: Taiwan 

and North Korea. North Korea 

remains a problem, but it is my 

belief that Taiwan will never 

become a source of global conflict, 

although it will remain a 

useful stick for China to beat 

outsiders with. I believe Taiwan 

is much lower on China’s 

priorities list than it sometimes 

seems. And I suspect that Russia’s 

experience in the Ukraine 

has caused China to quietly 

revise the timing of its policies 

on Taiwan. 

The recent Communist 

Party Congress enshrined 

President Xi for an unprecedented 

third five-year term. 

Xi is clearly a capable leader. 

He is the son of a Chinese 

Communist veteran, with 

well-maintained links to other 

influential “princelings”, and 

has survived his own Cultural 

Revolution and other political 

setbacks. 

But the country is grappling 

with a slowing economy 

and an increasingly fractious 

population, which is clearly 

showing irritation at the leadership’s 

hard-line handling of 

Covid-19. 

What was interesting to 

many outside observers was 

Xi’s overt display of personal 

authority during October’s 

Congress. Having been 

re-elected, by a small group 

of political dignitaries, Xi then 

had retired Chinese president 

Hu Jintao ushered unceremoniously 

out at the end of the 

meeting. 

Widely televised on foreign 

media, it is understood that this 

scene was not seen on any Chinese 

state media, which was 

left with the impression Hu 

was one of those dignitaries 

wholeheartedly supporting Xi. 

David Porter 

That did not appear to be the 

case. Rather, it came across 

as an external assertion of Xi’s 

newly enhanced authority. 

We obviously cannot ignore 

the importance of major New 

Zealand trading partners such 

as China and the US. According 

to late 2021 figures, China 

absorbed some $21.45 billion 

in New Zealand exports and 

services, especially dairy, meat 

and wood, and sent us $16.26 

billion of its own exports and 

services. 

We must continue to make 

every effort to understand 

China and its governance. 

We are delighted in this issue 

of Bay of Plenty Business News 

to bring you our special focus 

December Thought Leaders 

feature (see pages 10-34). We 

have talked to the Bay’s leading 

businesspeople to get their 

thoughts on business as 2022 

draws to a close. 

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O’CONNOR WARREN INSURANCE BROKERS 

10 years and counting 

O’Connor Warren Insurance Brokers recently hosted guests at their new Willow Street, Tauranga offices as they 

celebrated 10 years in business. This award-winning business has grown since its inception to a team of 12 and is now 

one of New Zealand’s largest locally owned broking operations. Photos by Rachael Stanway 

1 

2 

3 

1. Lloyd Rakaupai (TMBA), Rick & Jane Leach (Mt Engineering). 2. Emma Talbot, Al Talbot, David Bell (Orien Capital). 3. Frank Vosper (Vosper Reality). 

4 

5 

4. Jared Robins (Ando) Megan Gilbert (OWIB) Haley Walker-Smith (NZI). 5. Jason Hofmann (Sign Logistics), Scott Adams (Carrus). 6. Eric Tait (Tait Group), Damian & Catherine 

Fleming (Bayride) Matt Cowley (Chamber). 

6 

7 

7. The OWIB Team. 8. Celebration cake. 

8 

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Tompkins Wake Supreme Winner – Patchell Group of Companies 

Spotlight shines on Rotorua businesses 

It was a truly unforgettable night 

as over 820 guests arrived at the 

Energy Events Centre, Rotorua, 

to celebrate the Tompkins Wake 

Rotorua Business Awards 2022 

– making it one of the biggest 

award ceremonies in New 

Zealand! 

Run by the Rotorua Business 

Chamber for more than 20 years, 

the awards celebrate innovation, 

creativity and best practice across 

the local business sector. 

With 51 finalists competing 

for the win – and superb 

entertainment – the evening was 

definitely one for the books! 

2022 BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS 

EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES 

Toi Ohomai/Te Pūkenga: Creative 

Arts & Design – Wawata Creative 

Scion: Innovation & Technology – 

Local Gecko Productions 

Deloitte: Hospitality and Retail – 

Pullman Rotorua 

The Shine Collective: 

Manaakitanga Tourism – Skyline 

Luge Rotorua 

Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings: 

Primary Manufacturing and 

Building – Patchell Group of 

Companies 

Holland Beckett Law: Professional 

Services – Chemwash Rotorua 

Rotorua Business Chamber: 

Commendation Award – Jasco 

Distributing 

BUSINESS CATEGORIES 

RotoruaNZ: Kaitiakitanga 

Environmental Sustainability & 

Climate Change – Rotorua Rafting 

Ltd 

Timberlands: Workplace Safety – 

Redwoods Treewalk & Altitude 

Ministry of Social Development: 

Employer of the Year – Index 

Engineering Ltd 

Osbornes Funeral Directors: Not 

for Profit & Social Enterprise – 

Rotorua Community Hospice Trust 

BNZ: Bilingual Business – Wawata 

Creative 

NZME: People’s Choice – Zorb 

Rotorua 

Rotorua Lakes Council: 

Outstanding Contribution to 

Rotorua – Rotorua Community 

Hospice Trust 

Redstag: Business Person of the 

Year –Glenn Hawkins 

Tompkins Wake: Supreme Winner 

– Patchell Group of Companies 

1 

1. Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings: Primary Manufacturing and Building Award – Patchell Group of Companies. 2. Timberlands: Workplace Safety Award – Redwoods Treewalk & Altitude. 

2 

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3. Rotorua Lakes Council: Outstanding Contribution to Rotorua – Rotorua Community Hospice Trust. 4. Deloitte: Hospitality and Retail Award – Pullman Rotorua.


Photos from Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards 2022, held at the Energy Events Centre, Rotorua. 

Photos by Michelle Cutelli Photography 

5 6 

5. Rotorua Business Chamber: Commendation Award – Jasco Distributing. 6. Osbornes Funeral Directors: Not for Profit & Social Enterprise Award – Rotorua Community Hospice Trust. 

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7. The Shine Collective: Manaakitanga Tourism Award – Skyline Luge Rotorua. 8. Ministry of Social Development: Employer of the Year Award – Index Engineering Ltd. 9. NZME: 

People’s Choice Award – Zorb Rotorua. 

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10. Scion: Innovation & Technology Award – Local Gecko Productions. 11. BNZ: Bilingual Business Award – Wawata Creative. 12. Toi Ohomai/Te Pūkenga: Creative Arts & Design Award 

– Wawata Creative. 

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14 

15 

13. RotoruaNZ: Kaitiakitanga Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change Award – Rotorua Rafting Ltd. 14. Holland Beckett Law: Professional Services Award – Chemwash 

Rotorua. 15. Redstag: Business Person of the Year Award – Glenn Hawkins.

C E L E B R A T I N G B A Y B U S I N E S | 2 0 2 


2022: A YEAR IN REVIEW 

As 2022 draws to a close there are sighs of relief in many quarters. Yet despite the on-going challenges of rising inflation, 

falling property prices, labour shortages, global political instability and supply chain uncertainty, generally Bay of Plenty 

businesses maintain a positive outlook; They have adapted to meet the challenges head-on and many are thriving despite 

the difficult conditions. Over the last 12 months we have provided readers with on-going analysis of the performance of the 

local business economy, reporting the facts, and providing expert opinion. For every challenge that 2022 has thrown at us, 

the local business community has come up with strategies to not only survive, but to thrive. In this BBN 2022 Year in 

Review, we step through the highlights of the last 12 months of Bay of Plenty Business News and hopefully take heart 

that we are well positioned to face 2023. 

– Alan Neben, publisher 

January 2022 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 1 

JANUARY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 1 

WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS 

tauRanga’s future look 

takes shape 

See page 3 

MARCH 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 3 


Tauranga grapples 

with global shortages 

Richard Rennie examines some of the key issues contributing 

to New Zealand’s supply problems – see page 5. 

MAY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 5 


MUSSEL SPAT PROJECT 

MUSSEL SPAT 

POWERS UP 

JUNE 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 6 



SURPRISE BY-ELECTION 

TRIGGERS CAVALCADE 

OF CANDIDATES 

The Eastern Bay undertakes an ambitious 

plan to cultivate mussel spat in the region, 

says DAVID PORTER. See Page 6. 

Simon Bridges’ unexpected resignation as MP has drawn 

a strong cast of contenders for the seat. See page 5 

Photo courtesy Vanessa Laval 

intellectual property 

Make sure you undertake 

due diligence on your 

bright new idea 

P8 

M&A 

Kale Print acquires 

Advocate Print 

P7 

communications 

Heffield’s learnings from 

Covid-19 

P19 

harbour project 

Key Whakatane 

partnership signed 

P6 

apartments 

Interest grows in high level 

living 

P12-14 

business awards 

Tompkins Wake – Rotorua 

Business Chamber Awards 

2021 

P20-21 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 

Commerce Act changes 

suggest stormy seas for 

IP owners 

P12 

taxation 

Anyone that is a trustee will 

need to consider how the 

new tax disclosure rules 

will impact 

P10 

kiwifruit 

Expectations high for a solid 

April harvest, but staff numbers 

need to ramp up, reports 

Richard Rennie 

P14 

TAXATION 

A new approach to 

the budget 

P6 

TECH TALK 

Digital passwords crucial 

for cyber defence 

P10 

YEAR 

BOOK 2022 

GOLD EDITION 

– The best yet! See page 4 

YEAR 

BOOK 

TAURANGA'S PREMIER VENUE - A COMPLETE PACKAGE 

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Conferences | Meetings | Exhibitions | Entertainment 


January 2022 

When the gradual progress in construction 

of a massive new building has dominated 

the horizon of the region’s biggest city for 

more than a year, the population generally 

want to know what’s happening behind the 

‘shrink-wrap’. The January 2022 issue went 

behind the scenes to give readers a fascinating 

update on Farmers Elizabeth Towers 

project. Hand in hand with the Farmers 

lead, BBN also picked up on Tauranga City 

Commissioner Anne Tolley’s announcement 

that the civic precinct transformation was on 

the way, “… restoring the heart and soul of 

the city centre.” 

FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 2 

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2 

3 

4 

5 







bay women emerge as 

key business leaders 

Read about some of the Bay’s leading businesswomen 

and their stories. We lead off the section with this 

month’s inspiring cover story on the success of 

maritime startup Tidal Yachting. (See pages 10-16) 

Tidal Yachting’s Hayley Campbell, CEO Alisha 

King and Loni Thompson. Photo supplied 

1: Adrienne Mikkelsen, Property Indepth. 2: Cass Park, Money Metrics. 3: Nicky Spraggon, Spark Business Hub. 4: Stefani Grgicevich-Lassey, Flame Strategic Media Agency. 5: Valerie Rowe-Mitchell, 

Emerald Business Advisers. 6: Linda Harley, ABC Business Sales. 7: Jacky James, The Shine Collective. 8: Jill Cachemaille, The Staffroom. 9: Paula Yakas, The Law Shop. 10: Holly Mitchell, McFall Fuel. 




February 2022 

While gender pay equity issues were particularly 

topical in 2022, BBN’s February 

edition led with an investigative feature entitled, 

‘Bay Women emerge as key business 

leaders.’ The feature, focused on the Bay’s 

leading businesswomen and led off with an 

inspiring cover story on the success of maritime 

startup Tidal Yachting. But not everything 

moves fast in the Bay – the February 

2022 Business News feature story predicting 

that ‘delays in consenting could see the port 

face container constraints’ was prophetic – 

consenting delays was still a hot topic nine 

months later when we focused on Port of 

Tauranga in the November 2022 issue. 

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8 

9 

10 

March 2022 

In March BBN journalist Richard Rennie 

examined key issues contributing to 

New Zealand’s supply problems. With the 

exporting season in full swing, Rennie suggested 

the grief experienced with shipping 

delays and capacity constraints in 2021 was 

unlikely to ease much in 2022. By December 

2022 we can safely say, “he wasn’t far 

off the mark.” We also updated progress on 

the Whakatane harbour development. With 

housing being a ‘hot topic’, the issue also 

sought the opinions of industry experts in a 

feature article titled ‘BOP Apartment Developments: 

When is enough enough?’ 

APRIL 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 4 



Rates rebalancing is 

looming for Tauranga 

Some Tauranga businesses face a significant rates increase as the recently reappointed city commissioners work to rebalance 

the city’s transport rating inequities. They have reiterated that the city had not in the past paid for ‘growth with growth’, and 

say the rates allocation across infrastructure and transport use is far from equitable. 

By RICHARD RENNIE 

n a recent “meet the commissioners” 

session to business leaders, 

Icommissioners Anne Tolley and 

Stephen Selwood outlined how city 

traffic infrastructure is to be a key priority 

over the next three years. 

Head commissioner Tolley again 

reiterated to business heads that Tauranga 

city had not paid for “growth 

with growth”, and the rates allocation 

across infrastructure and transport use 

was far from equitable at present. 

In total, the council is proposing to 

spend $1.58 billion over the next 10 

years on traffic infrastructure. 

The largest portions include $171 

million on walkways/cycleways 

throughout the city, $164 million on 

the eastern corridor routes and $157 

million on the Hewlett’s Rd-Totara 

Street-Hull Road sub-catchment. 

The biggest single ticket item is 

the $205 million allocated for western 

state highway growth projects around 

Tauriko. 

“The modelling tells us this is 

what we need to invest in order to just 

maintain the status quo, given continuing 

growth,” said Selwood. “It is 

very clear we need to get on with the 

key state highway projects and the 

Hewlett’s-Hull project.” 

But research has revealed Tauranga 

city’s portioning of rates to 

roading is significantly out of kilter. 

An Insight Economic survey 

shows road usage in the city split 

roughly 50:50 between residents and 

industrial-commercial users. 

But 75 percent of the city’s road 

rating income is generated from 

household ratepayers. Typically, in 

most New Zealand cities the commercial 

and industrial sector contribute to 

about a third to total rate take. 

“So, on the basis of ‘fair share’ of 

who pays, we want to move to more 

of a 50:50 model,” Selwood says. 

At present Tauranga businesses 

pay a general rate differential of 1.6 

($1.60 in rates for every $1 paid by 

residential householders on a similar 

valued property). Again, this is 

considerably lower than other metro 

councils in New Zealand. 

The commissioners’ proposed 

change will see a two-year transition 

from 1.6 to 1.9 to 2.3, to cushion the 

blow of the increase. 

“We recognise that some businesses 

are doing quite well while others, 

particularly those in hospitality 

are not,” says Anne Tolley. 

No rates increase for some 

About 30 percent of the city’s 

CBD properties will experience no 

rates increase or a rates reduction, 

63 percent will have an increase 

of less than 10 percent, and the 

remainder an increase more than 10 

percent. 

April 2022 

The average rates increase proposed 

in this year’s annual plan stands 

at 13.7 percent. 

“Basically, those that are earning 

decent market rentals and doing quite 

well will go up, those that are not will 

go down.” 

Staving off property losses 

Selwood said that if the investment 

was not made now in rates income 

into infrastructure, the insidious 

impact of productivity losses in the 

city will have a much greater effect on 

its future growth and liveability. 

Another funding lever commissioners 

of the indebted city also intend 

to pull is via the new infrastructure 

funding and financing Act (IFF). 

The IFF is intended to provide 

councils in fast-growing areas including 

Hamilton, Tauranga and Queenstown, 

with a financing tool that 

keeps the debt off councils’ books 

when funding housing and infrastructure 

spend. 

The model provides opportunities 

for local councils and iwi to partner 

with private developers free of council 

debt limits, which are already at 

their ceiling in Tauranga. 

“Its underlying principle is that 

those who benefit from a project will 

pay for it via a levy collected in the 

same way as their property rates,” 

said Tolley. 

“If a decision to proceed is made, 

it also signals to our partners that 

TCC is committed to making these 

projects happen.” 

The Tauriko West housing and 

infrastructure project would be 

funded by a IFF levy on each of the 

2000 new properties proposed. The 

levy is expected to be about $2000 to 

$2500 a year. 

“This gives us access to $500 million 

more than we could raise off our 

own balance sheet,” said Tolley. 

While the editorial team at BBN try to focus 

on the many positive and inspirational business 

stories in the region, we will never 

shy away from spotlighting the challenges 

and the difficulties businesses encounter. In 

April we shone the spotlight on the looming 

rates rebalancing for Tauranga businesses – 

we anticipated significant rate increases for 

local businesses as the recently reappointed 

city commissioners worked to rebalance the 

city’s rating structure. This issue also hailed 

the sailing of Zespri’s first charter vessel for 

Japan and editor David Porter investigated the 

significance of Tauranga MP Simon Bridges 

announced retirement from parliament. 

May 2022 

While it sometimes feels like the bigger 

business centres of Tauranga and Rotorua 

steal the limelight, there is a buoyant business 

economy in the regional areas outside 

those centres. In May Business News 

zeroed-in on just one such area, The Eastern 

Bay of Plenty. The Eastern Bay has made 

steady economic progress in recent years 

with GDP up over 10% in Whakatane in 

the last year, the new Whakatane Marina 

plan started and a new harbour underway 

in Opotiki. David Porter explored an exciting 

new initiative in the area which sees the 

region embark on funding and development 

of the Te Kaha mussel spat 

project – a project described 

as “massive.” May also featured 

a profile on Rachel 

Woods, principal of the new 

+MORE Bay of Plenty office. 

June 

2022 

YEAR 

BOOK 

2022 

GOLD EDITION 

June 2022 

“We’re not about politics, we’re about business.” 

But sometimes politics and business 

necessarily overlap. In June we chose 

to drill-down on the surprise Tauranga 

by-election which triggered a cavalcade of 

candidates. Our business readers wanted to 

know a bit more about the candidates and 

the election – we obliged. June also saw the 

introduction of BBN’s new ‘Mining Business 

Wealth’ column by superstar columnist 

Freddie Bennett – a world record holder and 

real dynamo. 

YEAR 

BOOK 

CELEBRATING BAY BUSINESS | 2022 

GOLD EDITION 

You have to be 

doing something right when 

you have foreword endorsements from the Prime Minister, 

the Chairman of ANZ Bank and the champion America’s Cup 

Skipper … yes, this year’s issue of Year Book was a goodie.” 

– Alan Neben, Publisher 

YEAR BOOK 2022 | 1

Turn to page 5 

BBN-November-2022.indd 1 

26/10/2022 3:45:54 PM 


BBN online services 

‘explode’ in 2022 

While Covid-19 saw many businesses pivot to online digital 

channels, BOP Business News was already well imbedded in 

that space when Covid arrived. In the last year BBN has experienced 

an ‘explosion’ in online subscriber numbers. According 

to Bay of Plenty Business News Digital Services manager 

Petrina Wilson, “We have quality content, and the numbers 

show me that’s what our users demand. The growth in our 

Business News subscriber base, our social channels engagement 

and our web traffic has been extraordinary. Our subscribers 

sure let us know our EDM newsletters are in demand 

– readers want to be connected, and our exceptionally high 

open rates prove it,” she says proudly. 

DECEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 12 


EXCLUSIVE 

1 

4 

7 

14 

20 

2 

8 

15 

21 

9 

16 


BOP BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE THEIR 

VIEWS ON THE STATE OF OUR INDUSTRIES 

In this final 2022 edition we wrap-up by 

reaching out to industry leaders across the 

Bay of Plenty and asking them how they feel 

businesses have coped with the challenges 

of 2022. They outline their expectations for 

the new year ahead – the prospects and 

the challenges – and in this issue they also 

talk about how they expect businesses to be 

performing a year from now. 

Their comments feature in 

Thought Leaders 2022, pages 10-34. 

10 

17 

22 

1. Andrew Wilson, Rotorua NZ. 2. Kellie Hamlet , Talent ID. 3. Brett O’Riley, EMA. 4. Dr Julian Elder, Scion. 5. Mark Wassung, Design Engine Architects. 6. Ron Hooper, Whakatane Mill. 7. Mike Ranstead, Lexus of Tauranga. 

8. Rachel Woods, +MORE. 9. Wiremu Matthews, Kānuka Wellbeing & Leadership. 10. Nick Kerr, Debt Free NZ. 11. Michael Shaw, Dale Carnegie BOP Waikato. 12. Kate Ashcroft, Copeland Ashcroft. 13. Peter Hawes, Milford 

Tauranga. 14. Mike Bell, Stratus Blue. 15. Dan Mathieson, Zespri. 16. Greg Stringer, Cooney Lees Morgan. 17. Michael Sievwright, Trimax Mowing Systems. 18. Andrea Scatchard, Deloitte. 19. Steven Matthews, LINK 

Business Brokers. 20. Scott McKenzie, PMG. 21. Bridget Snelling, Xero. 22. Simon Short, Property Brokers. 23. Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga. 24. Chad Hooker, Bay Venues. 25. Stewart Vaughan, Winstone Wallboards. 

11 

18 19 

23 

3 

5 

12 13 

24 25 

6 

0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 




C o n f e r e n c e s | M e e t i n g s | E x h i b i t i o n s | E n t e r t a i n m e n t 

JULY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 7 

TECH TALK 

How system downtime can 

impact your business 

P7 


WORKPLACE WELLBEING 

Leverage real-time data to 

ensure you put resources 

in the right spot. 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

Unprecedented times required 

unprecedented thinking 

P14 


0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 





P11 


University of Waikato jumps 

up global university rankings 

MEGA BUILD FOR CITY 

T 

By DAVID PORTER 

auranga City Council (TCC) 

has announced that its new 

headquarters at 90 Devonport 

Road could be the largest mass timber 

office building in New Zealand 

and will target a net zero carbon footprint 

for the building’s construction 

process. 

Construction of the building is 

expected to commence in late-2022 

and be completed before the end of 

2024. The TCC has confirmed the 

leased building would accommodate 

all council administration staff under 

one roof. 

Demolition of the TCC’s former 

main building at 95 Willow Street 

began recently and it is understood 

the site is being cleared to make way 

for a new civic precinct. 

Built in 1989, Willow Street 

has housed the council’s mayoral 

T 

and executive offices, chambers, 

customer service centre, library, 

and other council services over the 

years. In recent years it has been 

plagued by problems largely caused 

by its age. 

The new headquarters will emphasize 

sustainability in its construction 

and use. Embodied carbon is the 

amount of carbon emitted during 

building construction. The extraction 

of raw materials, the manufacturing 

he University of Waikato has been 

recognised as number one in New 

Zealand for research citations in 

the annual 2023 QS World University 

Rankings. The University has also bucked 

the national trend and has risen significantly 

up the rankings to 331 – a rise of 

42 places. 

The rise is largely driven by the score 

for “citations per faculty member”, which 

measures the research intensity, impact 

and influence of the University’s academic 

staff. The placement at the top in 

New Zealand for citations per faculty 

member is an excellent result for one of 

the youngest universities in the country. 

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, 

Professor Neil Quigley, said he was 

proud of all the staff of the University 

in achieving such an outstanding level 

of research productivity, and that the 

excellent and innovative research being 

undertaken at the University has been recognised 

on the world’s stage. 

and refinement of materials, transportation, 

installation and disposal of old 

supplies can all produce embodied 

carbon emissions. 

By minimising the use of steel 

and concrete, which produce carbon 

emissions during manufacturing, and 

then replacing those materials with 

timber that absorbs carbon from the 

atmosphere, the result is a neutral 

position on carbon emissions, said 

developers Willis Bond. 

“There is no doubt that the last two 

years have presented all universities with 

unprecedented challenges, and while we 

are one of the smallest and youngest universities 

in the country, we are second to 

none when it comes to quality, innovation, 

and collaboration in research.” 

“We are ranked with the best universities 

in the world. The fact that we have 

experienced a substantial rise in the rankings 

during such a difficult and an increasingly 

competitive environment is a great 

achievement.” 

Quigley said the rise in ranking is 

a win for both the University and the 

Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions as the 

University’s brand is further enhanced 

internationally. 

“It shows prospective students both 

here and overseas that when they study 

and undertake research at the University 

of Waikato they are supported by some 

of the most respected academics in the 

world.” 

Engineered timber used 

A property development and 

investment company, Willis 

Bond has worked alongside Warren 

and Mahoney architects to 

design the 10,000sqm building, 

which will use engineered timber 

in place of most traditional 

concrete and steel elements. The 

Continued on page 5 

SEPTEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 9 


UBCO WINS NATIONAL 

HIGH-TECH AWARD See page 6 


TNL PREPPING FOR BUSY 

CONSTRUCTION SEASON 

By RICHARD RENNIE 

0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 





T 

auranga’s twin geographical challenges 

of slope and swamp have not impeded a 

rapid start to the district’s longest awaited 

roading project, the Takitimu North Link (TNL). 

The 6.8km long project linking Takitimu 

Drive toll road through to Loop Road at Te Puna 

has long been an on-again, off-again affair for 

over 15 years as traffic volumes have ballooned 

on State Highway 2. 

But Waka Kotahi regional manager for infrastructure 

deliver Jo Wilton says since commencing 

earlier this year, significant preparatory site 

work has been completed ahead of the busy 

summer earthmoving season. 

“There has been a lot of initial groundwork 

undertaken to prepare and open up the site for 

commencing the project itself.” 

This includes constructing haul roads and 

commencing a staging bridge on the Wairoa 

River site for construction vehicle crossings. 

Wairoa road has been re-aligned and sediment 

trapping ponds installed while extensive 

archaeological investigations have also been 

completed. 

The coming season will see over 400,000 

cubic metres of dirt being moved between cut 

and fill locations around the project, while over 

3.0 million cumec will be moved through the 

project’s entire five-year lifespan. 

“Other work underway includes the recent 

commencement of the Cambridge Road overbridge, 

due to be completed by late 2023,” she 

says. 

Turn to page 3 

NOVEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 11 


PORT OF TAURANGA 

PLANNING FOR 

THE FUTURE OF 

TRUSTPOWER 

BAYPARK PAGE 10 

MUSSEL SPAT 

INVESTING IN NEW ZEALAND 

For the inside story see pages 6-9 

CEO CROSSES 

THE KAIMAI FOR 

QUAYSIDE ROLE 

PAGE 11 

EV CAR SHARING 

COMES TO 

TAURANGA 

PAGE 13 

0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 





December 2022 

EASTERN BAY POWERS UP 

PROJECT TO GROW MUSSEL SPAT 

As you will probably have noticed, the 

Thought Leaders issue is back again this 

month. We’ve changed things up again this 

year for the December issue. We’ve said to 

our regular columnists, “take a break this 

month”, and we’ve focused the issue almost 

exclusively on what we term Thought Leaders. 

As 2022 comes to a close Bay of Plenty 

Business News has focused on industry sector 

leaders and their thoughts on where they 

see their industry, their business and the Bay 

of Plenty business community going in 2023 

in addition to reflecting on the year that’s 

been 2022. I hope you find their comments 

useful. (Don’t worry, the columnists will be 

back in January) 

July 2022 

Education featured prominently in the July 

edition, with a particular focus on the University 

of Waikato’s jump in global university 

rankings. With the opening of its 

central Tauranga campus in 2019, the university 

cover story complemented the other 

lead piece in July, the announcement that 

Tauranga City Council’s new headquarters 

could be the largest mass timber office 

building in New Zealand. David Porter’s 

July interview with Sam Uffindell gave 

no hint of the stormy waters ahead for the 

newly elected Tauranga MP. 

September 2022 

Across the Bay of Plenty whenever we talk 

to businesspeople one topic inevitably comes 

into the conversation: traffic … I’m sure you 

can all relate. BBN journalist Richard Rennie 

decided to take an in-depth look at one of the 

region’s most significant new roading projects 

in the September issue. His first of two 

significant recent roading articles looked at 

progress on Tauranga’s Takitimu North Link*. 

In the story Rennie spoke to Waka Kotahi’s Jo 

Wilton about the challenges in a project of this 

scale. Complimenting the transport story, the 

issue also featured coverage of local EV developer 

UBCO’s national hi-tech awards win. 

November 2022 

Bay of Plenty Business News November 

2022 featured informative coverage of 

developments and progress at the Port of 

Tauranga. Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s 

largest, fastest growing and most 

efficient port. It is an international freight 

gateway for the country’s imports and 

exports, and the only New Zealand port able 

to accommodate the largest container vessels 

to visit here. The November issue also 

introduced new Quayside Holdings CEO, 

Lyndon Settle. 

As you read this, our 12th and 

final issue of 2022, I’d like to 

thank all our advertisers, without 

who we could not produce Bay 

of Plenty Business News every 

month. Ngā mihi nui. And to you 

our loyal business readers, have 

a safe Christmas and enjoy a 

break. We look forward to again 

bringing you more BOP business 

news in 2023. 

August 2022 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 1 

AUGUST 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 8 


THE NEW WAVE OF 

BOP BUSINESS PEOPLE 

This month, Bay of Plenty Business News 

profiles a group of Under 40’s from 

various industries who are making their 

mark in the Bay of Plenty. In this issue we 

are profiling a broad range of individuals 

who are making a real difference (see 

pages 12-20) – we’re sure you’ll find their 

profile stories interesting. 

1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 

10 

OCTOBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 10 

PORT BATTLING 

SHIP SCHEDULING 

Challenging labour conditions, capacity issues at 

Ports of Auckland, and Covid have all played into 

continuing scheduling issues at Port of Tauranga, 

with expectations delays will not be fully sorted 

until early next year. See story page 3. 


By ALAN NEBEN 

he UTF was established 

in 2021 to pro- 

leadership to local Tvide 

and central government, and 

local business, economic and 

iwi sectors. According to the 

group, UTF advocates for 

positive planning and investment 

decisions to create 

meaningful changes to the 

current state of Tauranga City. 

The presentation, introduced 

by UTF’s Morgan 

Jones, outlined the current 

state of the industry from the 

individual perspectives of 

each of the four panelists. 

Providing context, Priority 

One’s Nigel Tutt highlighted 

the July quarter record 

low unemployment rate of 

2.9% for the Western Bay of 


UTF explores 

construction 

supply issues 

Tauranga’s Urban Task Force (UTF) hosted a panel discussion focused 

on supply chain issues at the end of August. Employers’ immigration 

scheme holdups in particular were highlighted, with some degree of 

frustration, as a major cause for concern, not only for those in the 

industry, but for the economy as a whole. 

Plenty. He noted that construction, 

property and 

healthcare are the largest 

employment sectors 

in the region. 

He also pointed to 

the impacts of the current 

7-8% inflation rate 

and labour shortages, 

particularly slow immigrant 

labour flows, as major 

impediments to growth. He 

noted competition for staff 

will be a significant feature of 

the local labour market. 

Tomkins Wake’s immigration 

expert Michelle Urquhart 

touched on the impact 

of Covid border closures and 

outlined the new work visa 

scheme, originally announced 

in 2019 for launch in 2020, 

but then delayed by border 

closures until the scheme 

Morgan Jones 

finally went live in July 2022. 

She pointed out that, 

despite the quick uptake 

and processing of employer 

accreditations in May, a 

requirement for any employer 

now wishing to employ a 

migrant, the subsequent 

job check stage has been 

problematic. 

NEW YEAR, NEW PRODUCT, 

NEW POSSIBILITIES 

100 People Behind Bay Business – that’s the name of Bay of Plenty Business News’ newest 

magazine, due to hit the market in 2023. The new magazine is profiling the people 

behind Bay business in an intelligent, insightful and inspiring way so that readers can 

learn more about them, their expertise, their experience and their business. Look out for 

100 People Behind Bay Business, 

coming your way soon. 

11 

12 13 14 15 

16 

1. Katie Douglas-Clifford – Craigs Investment Partners. 2. Ellie Smith – Creative BOP. 3. Georgina Smith – Holland Beckett Law. 4. Alice Scapens – Ingham Mora Chartered 

Accountants. 5. George Jackson – James & Wells. 6. Tom Elvin – Mackenzie Elvin Law. 7. Rebecca Savage – Mackenzie Elvin Law. 8. Thomas Refoy-Butler – Mackenzie Elvin Law. 

9. Sam Uffindell – MP for Tauranga. 10. Danielle Adnitt – Oliver Road Estate Agents. 11. Brooke Robertson – Property Brokers. 12. Christy Arundel – Property Brokers. 13. Tim Short 

– Property Brokers. 14. Sam Newbury – Quayside. 15. Joshua Morris – Skyline Rotorua. 16. Kingston Jones – Te Ratonga Poumanaaki. 

THE PORTER REPORT 

Long Live the King P4 

TAXATION 

Proposed changes 

‘gone by lunchtime’ 

P6 

First on the scene 

Rotorua Business 

Chamber people P16 


August 2022 

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We had often spoken in our BBN team meetings 

in 2022 about the wealth of young talent 

in BOP businesses. In July we decided 

to stop talking about it and write about it 

instead. In the August issue we published 

a feature entitled “Business Under 40’s” 

where we profiled 16 individuals making 

exceptional contributions. The volume of 

feedback when we hit the streets was amazing; 

The breadth of young talent across BOP 

industries we highlighted is exciting – our 

future would appear to be in good hands. 


October 2022 

0800 BAYPARK (229 727) 




Building and development featured prominently 

again in the October edition, although 

this month the focus was on the impediments 

facing the construction industry rather than a 

celebration of new building milestones. BBN 

looked at the wide-ranging problems confronting 

the industry, and ultimately impacting on 

us, the buyers and end-users of new buildings. 

Richard Rennie also investigated a second 

major roading project in his transport series – 

the Baypark to Bayfair Link*. The project is 

not due to be fully completed until Dec 2023. 

* To view a flyover video of the finished 

roading projects, go to the stories at 

bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

We’re excited to tell 

these stories. This 

new magazine offers 

a great opportunity 

for everyone to find 

out more about the 

people behind our most 

successful businesses. 

It’s quite a unique 

concept – I think it’s 

going to be a real 

winner.” 

– Pete Wales, Business 

Director 

2023 

PEOPLE BEHIND BAY BUSINESS


CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY 

Creating global solutions 

to decarbonisation 

ANDREW WILSON, 

Chief Executive, Rotorua 

Economic Development 

Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty 

region is hard to beat when it comes to 

forestry. It would be fair to say it’s in our 

genes, and part of our identity. With a strong 

history and legacy in forestry and wood processing, 

it’s no surprise that Rotorua, alongside 

our neighbouring districts will be at the heart of 

New Zealand’s emerging circular bioeconomy. 

We are in a great starting position. Besides 

being centrally located in the North Island, 

extensive transportation infrastructure and 

robust support services have given Rotorua a 

sustainable competitive advantage. Not to mention 

we are also home to the largest forest plantation 

in the southern hemisphere. The strong 

ties maintained through working partnerships 

with Scion, Red Stag Timber, and New Zealand 

Institute of Skills and Technology subsidiary 

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Toi 

Ohomai) have helped to strengthen the city’s 

establishment as an industry leader. 

So, what is a circular bioeconomy, and 

why is it important? 

From a global perspective, we know that our 

dependency on oil and gas is going to transform 

over the next decade and the replacement 

of oil and gas with biological alternatives will 

be at the centre of this transformation. 

A circular bioeconomy is essentially an 

economy that is powered by nature. It is a 

new economic model that emphasises the use 

of renewable natural capital and focuses on 

minimising waste, replacing the wide range of 

non-renewable, fossil-based products currently 

in use. An economy that relies on renewable 

natural resources to produce food, energy, 

products, and services. 

The bioeconomy and the bio-innovation 

that drives it, are highly placed-based phenomena 

and relevant to our regions. This provides 

a significant future opportunity for regional 

development and for Māori. Key regions having 

significant competitive advantages such 

as the Bay of Plenty in woody biomass, and 

Māori who own over 40% of the forests in New 

Zealand, are positioned to reap the benefits of 

the circular bio-economy, with benefits flowing 

through to whānau, iwi and hapū through 

investment, and higher wage skilled jobs. 

There is also a large and growing global 

addressable market for bio-innovation usecases 

across many segments. Fibres and materials, 

fuels, energy, bioplastics are all growing 

in demand both here in New Zealand and 

across the globe. 

What are the opportunities? What we 

are trying to achieve? 

Despite a lack of data on feedstock end use 

product demand in New Zealand, there is clear 

consumer intent around bio/green/sustainable 

products. New Zealand has traditionally 

focused on primary production outputs but 

with a circular bioeconomy there is significant 

opportunities for ‘new industry secondary processing’ 

for both domestic (replacing carbon/ 

petro intensive industrial inputs) and export 

markets. 

The Bay of Plenty region is blessed with a 

LOT of biomass. We are fortunate to have not 

only extensive forestry resources but growing 

horticulture and aquaculture sectors that will 

generate increasing biomass quantities over the 

coming decade. 

In addition to biomass, we also have the 

expertise to understand what the critical ingredients 

are to unlock value for NZ Inc., whilst 

also providing global solutions to decarbonisation. 

Over the past twelve months we’ve 

worked alongside Scion and Te Uru Rākau 

New Zealand Forestry Service to look at how 

we can create new industries across Rotorua 

and neighbouring regions that will support the 

production of bioplastics, liquid biofuels and 

biochemicals. 

The outcomes of a circular bio-economy for 

New Zealand include GDP growth, productivity, 

decarbonisation across industry and energy, 

A circular bioeconomy 

is essentially an 

economy that is powered by 

nature. It is a new economic 

model that emphasises the 

use of renewable natural 

capital and focuses on 

minimising waste, replacing 

the wide range of nonrenewable, 

fossil-based 

products currently in use. 

lower ‘green premiums’, specialised exports at 

scale and increased innovation outputs. For the 

regions it will mean an increase in skills and 

jobs and support for Māori economic aspirations. 

Re-industrialising our regions is a very 

real possibility and Rotorua and the wider Bay 

of Plenty is well positioned to be at the forefront 

of this transformation. 

What can we do and what gap are we 

trying to fill? 

Our bioeconomy will require the development 

of new products, operating models and 

services, driven by continued research and 

innovation across both the public and private 

sectors. Additional investment in establishing 

a strong bio-innovation network will be critical 

and will bring together circular bio-innovation 

focused people, institutes and companies, with 

appropriate feedstocks, capabilities and infrastructure 

(in some places shared). 

Looking across New Zealand, it is realistic 

to imagine individual regional clusters (forestry, 

aquaculture, agriculture, horticulture, 

waste, etc.) being established. These would 

involve a collaboration of key stakeholders 

(customers, R&D, feedstock owners, Māori, 

investors, funders) to address and deliver end 

to end opportunities of the feedstock value. 

It is no secret that New Zealand has strong 

research and development capabilities in the 

bio-innovation domain. Unfortunately, there 

is a major gap in scale up facilities and commercialisation 

causing a disconnect between 

research push and market pull. Because we have 

limited facilities in NZ, scale up often needs to 

occur offshore or in multiple subscale facilities, 

which means much of our cutting-edge research 

never progresses to market at scale. 

The gap at the scale-up and commercialisation 

stage is not new for New Zealand’s innovation 

system, but is one that must be overcome 

if we are committed to increasing value-added 

manufacturing within our shores. Fortunately, 

it is a challenge New Zealand has previously 

addressed, the New Zealand Food Innovation 

Network being a prime example. Across the 

networks five open access food and beverage 

production facilities, businesses can scale 

up and commercialise new products. From 

research and development, through to manufacturing, 

the government funded network provides 

a unique level of expertise and access to a 

diverse suite of manufacturing equipment. 

A similar Government investment in 

scale-up and commercialisation facilities for 

the bioeconomy is required to capitalise on the 

enormous opportunity that is presented to us. 

Investment not only will contribute our transition 

to a low carbon economy, but has the 

potential to unlock jobs and Māori economic 

aspirations.


HR AND RECRUITMENT 

Unique employer brand key 

to attracting talent in 2023 

How to attract and retain talent in a post-Covid climate is one of 

the biggest questions businesses are contemplating right now, 

says Bay of Plenty-based recruitment specialist Talent ID. 

KELLIE HAMLETT 

Director, Talent ID 

The past 12 months have been particularly 

challenging for businesses looking to 

build the capacity of their team, with the 

‘great resignation’, record-low unemployment 

and brain drain reducing the pool of potential 

candidates to a puddle. 

But Talent ID Director, Kellie Hamlett, says 

there are a number of small changes a business 

can make to grow its employer brand and 

become the preferred workplace for talented 

employees. 

“There is no disputing that 2022 has been a 

challenging year for businesses as they’ve navigated 

rapidly rising remuneration costs, sickness, 

logistics delays for products, staff with 

heightened stress and burnout, and not being 

able to fill vacant positions. 

“But these challenges also offer a fantastic 

opportunity for businesses to take a good look 

at what sets them apart from other employers, 

and consider what they could offer to attract 

and retain talent in this economic environment,” 

says Kellie. 

Talent ID is a boutique recruitment and 

HR consultancy that has been supporting the 

growth of businesses in the Bay of Plenty and 

beyond for more than 15 years. 

Established in 2007, Talent ID’s core business 

is all about people, offering tailored solutions 

in both recruitment and human resources. 

With clients nationwide, and recruiting 

roles from entry-level to senior executive level, 

Kellie and her team get a birds-eye view of the 

business landscape across the country. 

“While there are signs that we have an economic 

downturn coming and that may see the 

market loosen, we are unlikely to see those 

effects until the second or third quarter of 

2023. We anticipate the first quarter of 2023 

will continue to be a buoyant, candidate-driven 

market. 

“In this kind of market, employers need to 

consider what makes their business a great and 

unique place to work, their ‘EVP’ Employee 

Value Proposition. Nowadays, candidates are 

looking to join companies who provide meaningful 

work, with a purpose that aligns with 

their own personal values. Knowing and effectively 

communicating your business’ ‘why’ is 

a must. 

“It’s easy for businesses, particularly SMEs, 

who are already feeling the pressure of high 

work-loads to become overwhelmed at the 

thought of building on their employer brand. 

But like your business strategy, your “people 

strategy” can be built upon over time. 

“The market is rapidly changing and we 

are needing to turn the traditional approaches 

upside down, and use innovative and tailored 

solutions.” 

Kellie recommends considering: 

• Where do we want to be in 5-10 years’ time 

and how are we going to get there? 

• What will make our company stand out as 

an employer of choice? 

• How do our employees like to work, how 

are they most productive and how can we 

help them to achieve that. 

If your ‘why’ is around the community, it 

could be that you give your employees time off 

to volunteer at a community event. If your purpose 

is family, it could be providing flexibility 

for school events or topping up parental leave 

entitlements. If health and wellness is your 

‘why’, it might be offering a gym membership, 

Pilates class, or paid mental health days. 

Candidates are also seeking development 

opportunities and progression, and these are 

Nowadays, candidates are looking to join companies 

who provide meaningful work, with a purpose that 

aligns with their own personal values. Knowing and effectively 

communicating your business’ ‘why’ is a must. 

key aspects which should also underpin your 

strategy. 

“The possibilities are endless and these 

things all help create an environment people 

want to be part of.” 

Looking beyond basic remuneration 

towards a total package approach which can 

include non-financial perks. 

Kellie feels the HR sector is on the cusp of 

some fundamental changes as society moves 

towards a more people-centric approach to 

business. 

“There’s some great technology coming 

through that can help us to streamline systems 

and make recruitment and HR a much more 

candidate-focused and friendly process. Adopting 

psychometric testing and workplace trials 

are just two tools we have in our arsenal to help 

get the right candidates into the right teams. 

“Recruitment shouldn’t be a chore that 

businesses must endure. Supported by Talent 

ID’s holistic advice and oversight, businesses 

can build the team that will take them into the 

future.” 

0800 850 080 

kellie@talentid.co.nz or holly@talentid.co.nz 

www.talentid.co.nz 

Talent ID are strong advocates of the Bay of Plenty region and all that is on offer. 

We combine extensive local knowledge and expertise with national reach and connections. 

Partnering with quality clients with an array of diverse roles, candidates will not only 

find a career they love, but scope to enjoy a balanced lifestyle rich in leisure, fun, friends 

and family.


PRIMARY INDUSTRY – FORESTRY 

Growing our 

economy 

from trees 

Research and new technologies are enabling forestry to be the engine 

of a circular bioeconomy for New Zealand. 

The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry 

Transformation Plan (ITP), recently 

launched at Fieldays, has created opportunities 

for Scion to lead the way with research 

that will drive the development of new manufacturing 

sectors and low-carbon products. 

These efforts will help New Zealand meet its 

net-zero emissions targets by 2050. 

Forestry is already recognised as a vital 

means of tackling climate change. It plays 

its part in two ways: removing CO2 from the 

atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 

by substituting products, fuels and energy 

made from fossil fuels with renewable wood 

and fibre-based alternatives. 

For 75 years, Scion’s research has created 

healthier and more resilient planted forests and 

productive timber industries. Evolving technology 

is making forestry science more precise 

than ever, offering researchers the chance to 

unlock the forestry and wood processing sectors’ 

true potential. 

Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder says 

the Government’s plan for forestry reinforces 

the relevance of Scion’s Strategy for 2030: 

Right tree, right place, right purpose. This formula 

will support New Zealand’s transition to 

a circular bioeconomy and stimulate its recovery 

in regions hardest hit from the effects of 

Covid-19. 

“The ITP has underlined the opportunities 

for industry, iwi and New Zealand when we all 

work together to harness the power of trees. We 

can create a carbon-neutral future and grow the 

economy. 

“Our bio-based research is challenging 

everyone to re-think how we make better use of 

our woody biomass. It’s a future where every 

inch of a tree can be used to create high-value 

products, offering an alternative to products 

made from fossil fuels. This will deliver true 

prosperity for the regions.” 

Benefits of a circular bioeconomy 

Elder cares deeply about ensuring that the 

“take, make, waste” linear economic model 

is replaced by one where the word ‘waste’ is 

redundant. 

Scion is among the global leaders in this 

DR JULIAN ELDER, 

Chief Executive, Scion 

circular bioeconomy approach – a model where 

waste from one process becomes feedstock for 

another. The concept aims to design out waste, 

keep materials in use for longer and regenerate 

ecosystems. 

As well as helping New Zealand and the 

world meet its climate change targets, a circular 

bioeconomy is a $30 billion economic 

opportunity, says Elder. 

“It’s this environment that provides a mosaic 

of activity for regional New Zealand to thrive, 

through emerging bio-based manufacturing 

and the creation of new high-value products 

from what we currently consider waste.” 

Growth through distributed 

manufacturing 

Scion’s research and technical support has 

underpinned the wood processing sector that 

New Zealand has today. More than 60% of 

harvested wood is exported as logs for other 

countries to process and add value. In addition, 

about 4 million tonnes of woody material is left 

Scion organic chemist Hilary Corkran with leather 

shoes tanned using radiata pine bark tannins. 

The ITP has 

underlined the 

opportunities for industry, 

iwi and New Zealand when 

we all work together to 

harness the power of trees. 

We can create a carbonneutral 

future and grow the 

economy.” 

behind in forests following harvesting and forest 

growing operations. 

Scientists are now finding new ways to 

use these residual woody resources, including 

forestry slash, to increase exports, create jobs, 

drive innovation and adapt to climate change. 

Key to this will be lowering the extraction and 

transport costs of harvesting residues, says 

Elder. 

To deliver on this, Scion is leading the 

development of a technique called ‘Distributed 

manufacturing’ which involves placing small 

processing units, or mini factories, on or near 

forestry harvest sites. 

Distributed manufacturing is one solution to 

increase on-shore manufacturing and can play 

a major role in the forest-based value chain. 

Essentially, these mini factories can be tailored 

to process biomass such as forest wood waste, 

horticultural and farm shelterbelt thinnings 

or crop residues into high-value wood-based 

products, biochemicals or pharmaceuticals. 

“Imagine a factory that fits in a shipping 

container – compact and mobile,” he says. 

“These can be strategically positioned within 

a forest, orchard or farm where the waste is 

created. These factories can perform novel 

scalable processes such as biochemical conversion, 

pyrolysis and pulping. The choice of process 

depends on inputs and the product being 

made.” 

Creating value-add products 

Scion scientists are already investigating the 

feasibility of a bark biorefinery that could 

extract tannins from bark stripped from pine 

trees after they’re felled for export. This follows 

a proof-of-concept study that showed how 

hides can be successfully tanned using pine 

bark tannins. These could replace imported 

tannins that are less environmentally friendly 

and be used to create other high-value chemicals 

for industry. 

“This is just one example of how woody 

waste can be used to accelerate our economic 

growth and mitigate climate change. It’s an 

exciting time to be in forestry.” 

It took just 35 minutes 

to regrow this building 

That’s the amount of time needed for New Zealand radiata pine forests 

to regrow the timber used in Scion’s Te Whare Nui o Tuteata building. 

Scion is helping New Zealand to transition to a better future through 

growing healthy and resilient forests, creating high-value timber 

products and developing bio-based products to replace materials 

derived from fossil-fuel carbon. 

www.scionresearch.com


PAPER 

The future is bright at 

the Whakatane Mill 

RON HOOPER, 

Chief Executive, Whakatane 

Mill Limited 

Nestle and Mars. An Australian by birth, Ron 

has lived the past 12 years in Auckland and for 

the new role at the mill, has relocated to the 

region to immerse himself in the business and 

local community. 

“Being part of this community is a key focus 

for my wife and I,” says Ron, “The mill has a 

tremendous legacy in the Bay of Plenty area. 

It’s touched the lives of so many families and 

provided employment and income for generations. 

Going forward we want to make the mill 

a destination employer in the region, to really 

create an environment where people come to 

work to contribute and be valued and then to 

push that goodwill and benefit further into the 

community so more in the region can benefit”. 

The mill is now embarking on a major 

expansion project as it invests $60million 

to increase capacity from 150,000T to over 

200,000T of folding box board which is to be 

led by Ron. 

Nothing is ever done on the small scale at 

WML and by July 2023 when the project is in 

full swing, the mill will require a 28 day closure 

to allow the 400+ contractors access to 

pines, the mill works hard in not only promoting 

itself when selling but also the aspect of being 

from NZ and the core raw material, trees, being 

sourced from within 120km radius of the site. 

Trees are the only truly renewable resource 

and in NZ the forestry industry and related 

wood processing industries (including WML) 

provide tens of thousands of jobs. 1.7 million 

hectares in NZ is planted in plantation forests 

Proud of our people, 

and the future for the resource is strong as the 

world moves towards more sustainable and 

biological-based economy. 

Hence Ron and his team are extremely 

upbeat about the mill investment as well as the 

healthy future ahead for the business. “together 

we want to create a responsible, sustainable 

business that will benefit the community and 

the mill family for decades to come” 

In 2021, the community of Whakatane was 

devasted to learn that the mill – one of the 

town’s biggest and long standing employers 

– was proposing to shut down at short notice. 

Along came the Smurfit Consortium, which 

signed a purchase agreement at the eleventh 

hour and the Whakatane Mill, WML, continued 

to produce folding box board and are 

proudly the only producer of this type of board 

in Oceania. 

The consortium was led by Ian Halliday, a 

longstanding business expert in the Pulp and 

Paper sector who was able to travel to NZ in 

April 2021 amidst the Covid disruption and 

identify what an asset the mill was. Ian understood 

that if the mill focused on what it was 

built for, producing folding box board rather 

than liquid packaging board, that the mill 

would be a profitable business. 

To produce board, paper mills run 365 days 

of a year, 24hrs a day. Water, pulp and energy 

are the key resources required along with a 

paper machine that can be up to 150m in length 

and 10m wide. 

At WML, a team of 180 is employed across 

paper making, technical, engineering, supply 

chain, finance, HR and sales. A minimum of 15 

loads per day leave the mill to take product to 

either Auckland based customers or Tauranga 

Port to ship rolls of board all over the world. 

Ian, the Executive Chairman of the mill 

today recently appointed Ron Hooper to the 

role of Chief Executive in June this year. 

Ron is a highly experienced and well-regarded 

business leader from the food and 

packaging sectors, having work previously for 

major multinational brands such as Griffins, 

We want to make the 

mill a destination 

employer in the region, to 

really create an environment 

where people come to work 

to contribute and be valued 

and then to push that 

goodwill and benefit further 

into the community so more 

in the region can benefit.” 

the machine with specialised equipment being 

sourced from countries such as Germany, Italy, 

the US and Finland. 

The project is now well into the planning 

phase, machinery has already started to arrive 

onsite and Ron is excited by the challenge of 

the new era the mill is entering. 

“We work in a sustainable, renewable 

industry, with forward momentum being driven 

by consumers to have recyclable packaging 

and the removal of single use plastic from the 

environment and the products produced by our 

mill fit that brief” 

With over 80% of the volume produced at 

the mill destined for overseas markets including 

Australia, Italy, Columbia, the US and the Philip- 

K667205AA 

At Whakatāne Mill, we pride 

ourselves on our history as one 

of the Eastern Bay’s strongest 

employers of local people. 

Still going strong after 83 years.


ACCOUNTING AND ADVISORY 

Is your accountant 

working for you? 

Having an accountant who can adapt to your changing business needs is essential as we head into 2023. 

Closing out 2022 

We can all agree the past two years 

have significantly impacted how 

businesses operate today, with the 

global pandemic forcing many to pivot to 

remain functional. 

During 2022 businesses have had to contend 

with many more challenges than just a global 

pandemic; the ongoing impacts of the war in 

Ukraine, rising interest rates on the back of 

the highest inflation seen in 32 years, and the 

expectation of a recession. 

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) 

measures consumers’ attitudes toward their 

financial circumstances, the national economy, 

and making major purchases. In the second 

quarter of 2022, CCI reached a record low, 

with economists describing the mood in the 

country as “grim.” 

No wonder we are all feeling fatigued! 

We have seen many successful business 

owners here in the Bay of Plenty and across 

New Zealand decide enough is enough and 

have either sold or closed doors for the chance 

of a different lifestyle. For professional 

services and many other businesses & 

industries, this has meant an opportunity for 

mergers and acquisitions as a means of growth, 

diversification, or exit strategy. For others, this 

may have meant not being able to realise the 

true value of their business. 

Staff shortages are still being felt across 

all industries and are driven by the slowing 

of population growth and immigration. The 

accounting industry has also felt the strain 

from the domestic market with record-low 

accounting graduates from New Zealand 

Universities. A recent survey showed that 

Gen Z viewed Accounting as the second most 

boring job (we were as surprised as you), so the 

future for the industry and accessing talent is a 

challenging one. 

But is it all doom and gloom? 

What’s on the horizon for 2023 

2022 has taught us that times are changing, and 

as accountants, we need to too. 

Business owners’ priorities now often have 

life fulfilment, freedom of mind and time, and 

sustainability as being as important or more 

important than financial gains. Your accountant 

should know your version of success, be 

working with you to achieve it, and tailor their 

approach to get you there. 

The industry is in dire need to start looking 

at clients as customers. Some have adopted 

this mentality, but others are still very reliant 

on the mindset that their clients need them 

more than they need their clients. With 

consumer confidence expected to remain well 

below average in 2023, it won’t be long until 

consumers start questioning whether the price 

they are paying for accounting services is fair 

for the value they are receiving. 

But value is subjective, so what is fair 

value? 

Does your accountant engage with you 

about your cashflow? Are they keeping 

provisional tax payments at a level that reflects 

your profitability? Is your accountant ensuring 

you are paying as little tax as legitimately 

possible? Are they offering solutions to 

improve your cashflow and profitability? Does 

your accountant hold you to account? Do you 

have rapport with your accountant? Is your 

accountant a visionary? 

If your answer to most of these questions 

is no, then you would hope that you are with 

a low-cost provider, as the value you are 

getting is just to comply with filing and tax 

requirements. 

Technology remains a critical part of 

business development, and those that continue 

to invest in it will stay ahead. With most SMEs 

now using cloud accounting software, your 

accountant should have adopted the same 

approach. More so, your accountant should 

be able to review your financial tech stack to 

RACHEL WOODS leads 

+MORE Bay of Plenty 

ensure you have scalability, saleability, and 

sustainability. 

Change is inevitable. 2023 will undoubtedly 

bring its own challenges and wonders for us 

to adapt and then come accustomed to. In the 

words of Albert Einstein, “Insanity is doing the 

same thing over and over again but expecting 

different results.” 

So, is your accountant prepared to grow and 

change with you, or will they continue doing 

the same thing over and over again? 

www.plusmore.co.nz 

rachel.woods@plusmore.co.nz 

"+MORE are much 

more than just an 

accountant. 

They are strategic 

business partners 

who are just as 

invested in my 

business as I am." 

- Brent Ireland, Collab Digital


ARCHITECT – URBAN DESIGN 

Design Engine Architects 

leading the way DE-sign, DE-light, DE-termination 

MARK WASSUNG, 

Architect 

Mark Wassung has always been driven by 

innovation: innovation in architecture, 

innovation in urban design, and innovation 

in intergenerational thinking. 

“Design should have aesthetic qualities that 

engage people easily on an emotional level – 

like an art gallery does. I’m really interested in 

blurring the lines between architecture and art.” 

There is always a delight in Mark’s designs, 

as though he wants to push boundaries, to 

provoke, to encourage people to engage and 

to entertain, as well as to serve the public. He 

insists passion and delight are essential for 

every design. 

“I’m excited about blending form, function 

and emotion. We have to create spaces built 

with a care that makes people feel uplifted and 

more social for being in them,” he says. 

Hardly surprising then that his current workload 

includes a design featuring grand scale 

chandeliers that invoke powerful emotions for 

people. 

“That’s part of the delight”, he grins. 

He is excited at the prospect of a ‘mature’ 

Tauranga, “where all people take public transport 

by choice.” 

Mark believes in reclaiming public spaces 

with pedestrianisation. He is adamant we 

should be thinking of how to cherish the city as 

a new kind of space, as a room, as a meaningful 

gathering place. 

He points out that architecture bookshelves 

are full of ingenious concepts that never got 

built – the hard part is often persuading the right 

people to buy into your vision. 

Although a self-confessed blue-sky thinker, 

his feet are firmly on the ground. “I have vision, 

but I also make sure I deliver tangible results 

and project successes,” he insists. 

Take for example the 10,000m 2 Modern 

Transport Engineers (MTE) self-sustainable 

super workshop and testing station in Hamilton 

(pictured); Mark is the architect for long-standing 

client Robin Ratcliffe, CEO of MTE Hamilton. 

That structure will have the biggest solar 

array in the Waikato, rainwater harvesting from 

the roof to fill water tanks and trucks for lease. 

All rainwater on concrete surfaces is treated on 

site. 

Some of his other current projects include the 

Kopurererua Valley Forest Lake Park (with 100 

thousand trees), and Waka Hiko, new 23-seat 

electric urban commuter buses for Tauranga – 

all easy-access, fast, frequent, and nimble. 

“Architecture today is critically important 

as the complexity of our modern world places 

pressure on our built environment,” he says. 

“To deal with issues such as the climate crisis, 

energy scarcity, population density, social 

inequality, housing shortages, fast-moving 

urbanization, diminished local identity, and 

a lack of diversity, architecture needs to open 

itself.” 

The Design Engine Studio Maungatapu on 

the Water is a place of innovation. 

The team is exploring new technologies for 

3D printed structures, mass timber and prefabricated 

lightweight aluminium and high impact 

acrylic structures. They collaborate with artists, 

sculptors and fabricators. An illustration is this 

collaborative new technology focus: Design 

Engine’s current work on ‘smart solar’ bus 

shelters (pictured) with Tauranga City Council. 

Exciting stuff. 

They have also actively embraced carbon 

sequestration in designs with engineered timber 

for efficient prefabricated mass timber 

construction. They are currently working with 

combinations of steel & concrete with XLam 

mass timber CLT panels to enhance sustainability, 

increase construction speed, improve site 

safety and improving triple bottom line – profit, 

people and planet. 

There are some fundamental concepts that 

drive Design Engine’s design projects and 

encourage the exciting blue-sky thinking – 

Ngākau me te wairua is one of those underpinning 

concepts. Culture is an integral part of 

Design Engine’s methodology – putting your 

heart and soul into the work. 

Demonstrating Design Engine’s bold 

approach is the team’s development of a live 3D 

model simulating traffic and alternative ‘people 

movement’ flows across Tauranga City. 

Another huge influence in Design Engine’s 

evolution has been the team’s focus on ‘Multimodal’ 

– an innovative conceptual design 

approach to the challenges of Tauranga’s travel 

infrastructure. 

Mark introduced Multimodal to the Tauranga 

City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional 

Council in 2016 (Tauranga Connect Multimodal 

Transport Network 2020-30 Vision for 

the Future and the Green Net Safe and Separate 

Cycleways Network). 

Design Engine are also currently the architects 

for Papamoa and Waihi Beach houses, 

both of which are challenging the norms of traditional 

design thinking. The beach houses each 

incorporate unique design aspects that reflect 

our focus on quality and innovation. 

Perhaps nothing better sums up Mark 

Wassung’s approach to innovative thinking 

better than his embracing of the possibilities 

offered by the new Medium Density Residential 

Standards (MDRS). The new standards 

allow 11m height (three storeys), three houses 

per site, one metre side setbacks and four metre 

and 60 degree height allowances in relation to 

boundaries. 

While critics continue to focus on the downsides 

of the new legislative changes – on what 

can’t be done and what problems they foresee 

– Mark is excited by the possibilities the new 

regime offers. 

He sees huge opportunities for intensification 

in Tauranga – specifically Te Papa Peninsula, 

Maungatapu, Brookfield and Tauriko 

where his team are currently working. 

For a visionary whose passions are innovation 

in architecture, urban design, and intergenerational 

thinking, this celebration of new 

standards as ‘an opportunity’ bodes well for the 

future design of our region. 

CONNECTIVITY | SUSTAINABILITY 

COLLABORATION | SYNERGY 

DESIGN ENGINE is a Tauranga 

based group of architects, urbanists, 

and inventors working on 

transformational projects throughout 

Aotearoa. We can assist you 

with concept designs and ideas that 

can prepare you and your business 

to achieve maximum sustainable 

growth, future proofing and creating 

an environment that people want to 

live, work and play in. We want to 

be associated with companies that 

are making positive change. 

CULTURAL CENTRE 

www.designengine.co.nz 

COMMERCIAL | TOURISM 

CULTURAL | INFRASTRUCTURE 

MEDICAL | 3D PRINTING 

DESIGNER HOMES 

CONTACT MARK WASSUNG 021 138 3739 mark@designengine.co.nz


AUTOMOTIVE 

The future of NZ 

automotive trends 

The Lexus of Tauranga store has now been 

trading for 19 months, and during that 

period we have launched two new models 

to the Lexus range, initially the UX300e 

(BEV) and then the all-new NX350H (HEV) 

and NX450H Plug-in (PHEV). The advancement 

in the technology and safety features 

of the new NX range has given us a prequel 

to what the future holds for the next model 

change, which is the iconic RX range. 

Lexus NZ plan to launch the new RX 

range early in 2023, with a choice of three key 

variations, including a single turbocharged 

petrol hybrid version and a choice of two 

hybrids. These new variations will replace 

previous models but will offer more powerful 

and fuel-efficient powertrains across all 

their ranges. With the option of an RX 350H 

or RX 350H Limited, however the new RX 

500h, (Turbocharged Hybrid) which is the hero 

Sales of EVs are 

projected to reach 

10.6 million worldwide in 

2022, a 57% increase over 

2021, with BEVs expected to 

reach 8 million units and 

PHEVs to reach 2.6 million.” 

in the lineup, is only available in the recently 

launched F-Sport Performance grade. These 

new models will stimulate the Luxury Hybrid 

SUV Market in a significant manner. 

We have enjoyed excellent growth in the 

Luxury Sector over the past 12 months, primarily 

because of the experience the customers 

receive when they visit the dealership, and 

naturally, the quality of the product reinforces 

why they should move to the Lexus brand. This 

is despite significant challenges with supply 

due to component shortages in various models. 

Thankfully our Lexus customers are willing 

to wait patiently for the arrival of their new 

vehicles. 

The automotive industry is going through 

an evolution of change, and in the 30 years 

I have been in the industry, this is one of the 

most significant changes I have seen. With the 

world focused on emission reduction, this has 

led to many countries offering incentives for 

the general population to move towards adopting 

EV vehicles. 

EV-volumes says, sales of EVs are projected 

to reach 10.6 million worldwide in 2022, 

a 57% increase over 2021, with BEVs expected 

to reach 8 million units and PHEVs to reach 2.6 

million. “By the end of 2022 we expect nearly 

27 million EVs in operation, counting light 

vehicles, 70% are BEVs and 30% PHEVs.” 

These are significant increases across a significant 

number of countries. 

Now the other consideration is with the 

introduction of EV vehicles to New Zealand 

roads, and with a view to recouping what will 

be an inevitable decline in fuel excise duties 

which amounted to $2.1 billion last year, the 

Ministry of Transport (MOT) is proposing 

changes to the road user charges (RUC) system. 

That could see EV owners start paying 

when the exemption for EVs ends in two years’ 

time. 

Under the current system, RUC applies to 

vehicles using fuels other than petrol or larger 

than 3.5 tonnes. Last year, there were an estimated 

800,000 light vehicles which contributed 

$800 million in RUC fees, while another 

190,000 heavy vehicles contributed about 

$1.1b under the system, according to MOT 

figures. Under current settings, light EVs will 

remain exempt until Mar 31, 2024, which will 

save their owners an average of about $800 

annually. 

In its consultation proposals, MOT is suggesting 

the possibility of applying RUC to light 

EVs and electric motorbikes, based on distance 

travelled. Naturally, there is also a race to have 

EV chargers installed throughout the country to 

support this growing trend, and with that will 

come additional charges in the future to sustain 

the energy cost being delivered. Someone has 

to pay the “ferryman” as they say. 

The Clean Car Standard (CCS) is one of a 

range of government initiatives to tackle the 

overall transport sector’s CO2 emission levels 

as part of the effort to address climate change. 

The Clean Car Standard is a government 

target that regulates importers to reduce CO2 

emissions to specific targets by encouraging a 

greater supply of low and no-emission vehicle 

imports to New Zealand. 

Vehicles with a high CO2 emission rating 

will incur a charge, the higher the CO2 rating 

the greater the charge. For vehicles that are 

below a set standard, the importer receives a 

credit that can be used to offset charges. So 

as of January 1st, 2023, each vehicle importer 

must account for their total fleet emissions, so 

some of these importers will be significantly 

impacted as their bias is diesel light commercial, 

with very few hybrid or EV vehicles in 

their fleet to offset this. 

The impact to Lexus New Zealand will be 

minimal given that 83% of its vehicle fleet 

sales in 2022 were either hybrid or fully electric, 

which will assist Toyota New Zealand to 

offset the diesel variants in their range. 

Given the upcoming changes, supply 

restrictions, and rising fuel prices, as well as 

the possibility of a change in the government, 

MIKE RANSTEAD, 

Lexus of Tauranga 

Branch Manager 

which could also see a change in the EV Rebate 

System, the automotive industry will prove to 

be very interesting over the course of the next 

12 months. Therefore, before making a purchase, 

make sure you thoroughly research your 

options. 

EXPERIENCE 

AMAZING LOCALLY 

DEDICATED STAND ALONE DEALERSHIP 

We welcome you to experience amazing at your new 

local Lexus of Tauranga dealership. Enjoy exceptional 

hospitality and a personalised buying experience in 

our dedicated stand alone showroom. 

Sales, Service & Parts 

158 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga 

lexusoftauranga.co.nz | 07 577 0880


BUSINESS BROKERS 

Business sales – 

busy times ahead 

There has been an enormous amount of media coverage and focus over the last five years about a 

potential tsunami of New Zealand businesses being put up for sale, due to a wave of baby boomers 

looking to sell up and enjoy their well-earned retirement. Many have challenged this theory and 

stated that it’s going to be more of a ripple than a tsunami as the health and motivation of these 

owners remains strong with no immediate desire to hang up their boots just yet. 

LINK is the largest specialised business brokerage 

company operating in Australasia 

and has been in the market for just under 

30 years. From LINK’s perspective, based on 

our results over the last year and looking at the 

current activity in the market, we would comment 

that the actual truth is probably that it is a 

“surfable wave” rather than a ripple or tsunami. 

Despite this, for the financial year ending 2022, 

LINK enjoyed its strongest trading year in history 

and the first half year results for the 23 

financial year are also very strong. 

The local LINK Bay of Plenty office which 

operates with a team of 17 industry specialist 

brokers, has enjoyed a very busy and successful 

year with a record number of business sale 

transactions. So, what is driving increased 

transactional activity in the market right now? 

There is no question that we are seeing an 

increase in the number of baby boomers putting 

their businesses on the market ready to 

enjoy retirement. If you are a business owner 

out there considering a possible exit through a 

sale, I would strongly recommend that you: 

• Start the process of preparing the business 

for sale 

• Engage your professional advisors 

• Maximise the business profitability 

• Identify and mitigate or minimise risk 

• Engage an industry specialised business 

broker 

Selling a business takes time and business 

owners are encouraged to engage with 

an expert such as business broker well before 

they want to sell. A business broker can help 

in preparing a business for sale and guide the 

owner through the whole process which can 

sometimes be rather complicated. 

The emphasis and importance on business 

owners “grooming” their businesses for sale 

are ever increasing. 

As a result of the anticipated influx of businesses 

coming to the market in the years ahead, 

this could possibly have a significant dampening 

impact on business values due to oversupply. 

Nearly 60% of small to medium-sized 

businesses are owned by people aged over 

50 and 23% are currently owned by people 

over 60. 

Whether you are considering selling or buying a 

business, don’t miss out on the potential opportunity to 

change your life through the successful sale or purchase of a 

great business.” 

As such many owners considering retirement 

could achieve a much better result by 

achieving a sale sooner rather than later. It is a 

sad fact that many owners will miss this window 

of opportunity and end up winding down 

a lease only to achieve minimal cents on the 

dollar for their tangible assets, running a closing 

down sale to shift stock and making long 

serving loyal staff redundant. 

It’s a fact of life that every single business 

STEVEN MATTHEWS, 

LINK Business Brokers, 

Tauranga 

owner will at some time exit their business. At 

LINK, we encourage owners to take control of 

this process and achieve a desirable chunk of 

tax-free cash through a successful sale. 

In addition to more businesses coming to 

market, much of the increased activity we are 

experiencing is coming from a strong demand 

of buyers in the market. Many existing businesses 

are recognising a good opportunity for 

growth through a strategic acquisition (especially 

from those baby boomer business owners 

retiring). 

Business ownership is one of the best ways 

to build equity, and there is a noticeable generational 

shift in younger people aspiring to 

own their own business, rather than relying on 

climbing the career ladder within an existing 

company to help secure their future. 

There is a real appetite out there for the 

younger generation to get involved in business 

which can provide the following benefits. 

• A better work life balance 

• Increased earning capacity 

• Opportunity to build equity and wealth (free 

from Capital Gains Tax) 

• Tax advantages 

• Independence (being your own boss and 

controlling your own destiny) 

Many aspiring business owners out there 

could consider avoiding paying intangible 

(goodwill) and starting up a business. However, 

the statistics of failed starts ups is as high 

as 80% in the first year. Buying an established 

business as a going concern hugely reduces 

risk and the revenue is instant. 

Whether you are considering selling or buying 

a business, don’t miss out on the potential 

opportunity to change your life through the 

successful sale or purchase of a great business. 

Our team of business brokers located here 

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BUSINESS CONSULTANTS 

Wiremu Matthews and 

Steve Hersey with their 

specialist team 

Kānuka kōrero: people & purpose 

He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. 

What is the food of the leader? It is conversation, it is communication. 

Kānuka Wellbeing & Leadership has 

operated in the Bay for eight years and 

supported business leaders and teams 

through the disruption of Covid-19 and its ripple 

effects over the last two years. 

Wiremu and Steve co-direct Kānuka and 

bring their knowledge and expertise in toiora 

wellbeing, maximising team performance, and 

performing under pressure to a number of sectors 

across the North Island. 

Building Upon Bi-Cultural Practice 

Kānuka is the only consultancy service, within 

the Bay, to provide a full range of individual 

and organisational development programmes 

that are all underpinned by, and actively integrate, 

Te Ao Māori principles. As social norms 

embrace the learning of Te Reo and Tikanga 

Māori, demand for services has grown. 

“We have worked alongside the health 

sector for a number of years where kaupapa 

māori awareness and practice has been a common 

theme for some time; however, it is only 

more recently that this same demand has grown 

from the private and commercial sector. It’s an 

exciting opportunity for us to share te ao Māori 

principles and see them effectively applied in 

business practice.” 

In Wiremu’s experience, the sharing of te 

ao Māori is a logical and effective method of 

building relationships and improving communication 

within the professional environs. 

“Māori custom is strongly committed to 

building whanaungatanga (nurturing and 

upholding relationships) and this method – 

applied to professional relationships – brings 

clearer understandings and stronger commitments 

between parties.” 

Prioritising the Value of Relationship 

Steve and Wiremu’s common personal philosophies 

have shaped their approach to working 

with their clients. 

Steve comments, “Other than as keynote 

speakers or conference presenters, we won’t 

provide ‘one-off’ workshops or presentations. 

Our desire is to build deep connections and 

long-term commitment to help our clients grow 

and prosper. This requires authentic drivers, 

investment in people and process; and engagement 

with a clear vision.” 

Working alongside clients, Kānuka has 

recognised that an unintentional focus upon 

symptoms often leads to short-term results and 

investment in the ‘problem’ that isn’t the ‘real 

problem’. 

“This isn’t just an issue for organisations, 

it’s also a common issue for individuals that we 

coach. Our clients reach a point of recognition 

that their behaviour or output is incongruent 

with their desired persona. 

“We take them through a robust process that 

dives beneath the surface and explores unconscious 

paradigms. To engage in this process 

demands high levels of manaakitanga, (generosity, 

kindness, uplifting and strengthening 

another), tangata whenuatanga (place-based, 

socio-cultural awareness and knowledge) 

and wānanga (communication and problem 

solving).” 

Health as Integral to Performance 

As development consultants to high performing 

organisations and highly driven individuals, 

we look upon Covid-19 as an excellent 

teacher of the importance of wellbeing. 

Wiremu shares, “As a health professional 

wellbeing has been a consistent point of personal 

practice and from the very beginning we 

have always shared wellbeing strategies within 

our programmes and services. 

“Post Covid-19 we have witnessed a deeper 

resolve and pledge by clients to adopt these 

strategies more fully.” 

This approach to health is underpinned by 

Te Whare Tapa Wha (Durie, 1984), which represents 

a Māori worldview of health that considers 

individuals as multi-faceted and requiring 

balance between wairua (spirit/energy), 

hinengaro (mental/emotional), tinana (physical) 

and whānau (family/social connections). 

It’s an approach that has resonated with 

many clients and is now reaching beyond New 

Zealand’s borders. 

Looking Forward with Purpose 

Kānuka’s goals for 2023 include bringing new 

team members aboard the journey and expanding 

digital programme platforms. 

Steve explains “We have the benefit of positioning 

ourselves as boutique consultants. We 

are a small team fully committed to our practice 

philosophy and excellent outcomes for 

those we work with. As we work through the 

process of onboarding new team members, we 

Living life with 

purpose is highly 

empowering for business 

leaders and team members 

alike; knowing purpose 

defines boundaries and 

priorities – motivation and 

relationships are also 

rejuvenated. When we 

reach this space with our 

clients, a whole new outlook 

emerges.” 

do so with careful deliberation, and we apply 

this same deliberation when meeting with prospective 

clients. 

“It’s highly important to us that we present 

ourselves authentically and with integrity. We 

do not commit to a service provider relationship 

until we have worked through our initial 

process of whanaungatanga and understanding. 

By investing in these steps, both we and the 

potential client have the opportunity to identify 

our mutual ‘fit’.” 

Commenting on digital expansion plans, 

Wiremu notes “We’ve worked with a number 

of organisations and have created bespoke 

internal digital platforms to sit alongside our 

workshops and individual coaching. 

“As we look toward 2023, our educational 

specialists are excited to develop a 

highly responsive platform that will take our 

Facilitating deep team connection 

audience.” 

Getting to root causes 

Creating cultural health 

Increasing productivity 

unique New Zealand model to an international 

Facilitating kiaora@wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

deep team connection 

Getting www.wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

to root causes 

Creating Facilitating cultural deep health team connection 

Increasing Getting to productivity 

root causes 

Creating cultural health 

kiaora@wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

Increasing productivity 

www.wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

kiaora@wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

www.wellbeingandleadership.co.nz 

20 

22


CREDIT CONTROL 

The Covid 

ridden butterfly 

effect in credit 

management 

What a couple of years it has been for business! We can now meet 

clients, friends and family face-to-face rather than via the far 

more impersonal video conferencing methods we have become 

accustomed to during the Covid restrictions. So one would think 

it should be business as usual, however the restrictions appear to 

have had some effects that will only be truly evident in the coming 

months and years. 

Travel around the town centres of New 

Zealand you could be forgiven for thinking 

that the pandemic is far from over 

– staff shortages are everywhere, and many 

businesses are changing opening times and the 

products they provide, and a few unfortunate 

ones have closed for good due to these very 

problems. The feeling of relief that we as business 

owners have been eagerly awaiting seems 

to be ‘late to the party’. 

So what does this look like in terms of 

data? 

According to the CENTRIX October 2022 NZ 

Credit market update report: 

• Consumer credit demand has climbed to 

pre-pandemic levels, with new unsecured 

lending up 18% year-on-year. This 

reflects the expectation that Kiwis are 

increasingly turning to credit to support 

their spending. 

• Mortgage arrears have crept up to a sixmonth 

high while consumer arrears appear 

to be levelling out month-on-month. Mortgage 

applications are down 11% on last year 

while new lending is down 37%. 

• Nearly 2.1m consumers have credit cards, 

however holders of multiple cards are down 

33% since 2019 as many chose to close 

their accounts. 

• Despite showing signs of improved activity 

the construction sector has seen an upswing 

in defaults. Hospitality also experienced rising 

defaults and is now the sector facing the 

most challenges as labour issues and cost 

pressures persist. 

So what does that look like from a real 

world credit management perspective ? 

Well, at Debt Free we are starting to get calls 

from long established, normally debtor free 

businesses experiencing unprecedented levels 

of indebtedness. 

Businesses appear to be running pre-Covid 

credit management systems while trading in a 

post-Covid world. I liken this to wearing a tee 

shirt in the dead of winter simply because it 

used to be warm. Employed people are being 

NICK KERR, 

Debt Free 

paid more than ever based on the hourly figure 

alone but once cost of living is calculated it’s 

clear to see that the picture is far from rosy. 

I have good friends earning over $100k pa 

finding it difficult to keep up with the $50k 

a year mortgage payments, childcare and 

other basic necessities of life. For many self 

employed people the lending that they accessed 

to keep their businesses afloat during lockdowns 

now threatens to make post-lockdown 

life very difficult for the foreseeable future. 

So what, as business owners, 

can we do? 

In my opinion we need to accept that the world 

we stepped back into is not the same one we 

left before. Many formerly cashflow-rich 

businesses have reached the bottom of their 

reserves and with institutional lenders tightening 

lending procedures some see creditor 

derived financing (not paying people on time) 

as the only option which, as you can expect, 

has a massive flow-on effect that travels all the 

way up the supply chain with the ripple effect 

being increased each time. 

This gets worse if you cannot charge interest 

or late fees as you are effectively a free 

bank that just happens to do other things too. 

It is absolutely imperative that a businesses 

credit management system is fully assessed by 

an expert in the field if it was set up before 

the market changed or if your business has 

experienced changes in established client’s 

payments occur – there are tools available that 

can literally save your business, but you can’t 

use something that you don’t know exists. 

In my career I have seen countless business 

save hundreds of thousands of dollars of 

potential loss after a free 30 minute meeting 

simply because they then knew what was sitting 

there waiting to be used properly. 

I have seen this work and if it costs me 

half an hour of unpaid time to save a business 

owner a whole bunch of pain, then that 

is something I am more than prepared to do 

(as will any other professional advisor worth 

your time). 

Just a thought.


EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

Employee engagement 

drivers in today’s workplace 

Exploring 

Employee 

Engagement 

Drivers 

in Today's Workplace 

An organization has a successful employee engagement 

program when its KEY DRIVERS connect emotionally 

with its workforce. 

MICHAEL SHAW is the 

Managing Director of Dale 

Carnegie BOP Waikato 

dalecarnegie.com 

Dale Carnegie’s business in 90 countries 

has bounced back with an average 

increase of over 40% in the last year due 

to the heightened needs of clients. 

Companies are struggling to adapt to the 

new ways of working and needs of employees. 

Our CEO Joe Hart said that Dale Carnegie 

himself lived through the Spanish Flu, armed 

conflict and two major technological changes 

in his lifetime and we have done the same in 

just the last 3 years! 

Because of this the old ways of organising 

business and doing things no longer work. 

Hierarchical top-down organisation doesn’t fit 

today’s business reality as people need to work 

together in a matrix across departments and 

external networks to be effective. 

The pandemic has taught us that collaborating 

online allows us to learn who we really need 

to meet with in person, saving hours. We have 

learnt that rather than telling a new employee 

what times and places they will work, we first 

learn what their personal commitments are to 

enable them to give their best. 

Recently Dale Carnegie conducted an 

employee engagement study across 20 countries 

including New Zealand. What we learned 

was surprising. 

In our previous study in 2016 the emotional 

needs of employees included feeling valued 

and empowered. 

Those needs are no longer featured as 

employees now know their value to the marketplace 

and are empowered to leave an employer. 

The organisational drivers of engagement 

haven’t changed. Employees want a good 

relationship with their immediate manager, to 

believe in senior leadership and for their company 

to have a purpose and direction they align 

with. 

In addition, younger employees want balance 

with their personal life and an enjoyable 

work environment. This is a far cry from the 

good old days where if you weren’t happy you 

were told to take a concrete pill and harden up! 

In addition, these organisational drivers 

must align with the heightened emotional needs 

of employees after almost 3 years of pandemic 

and change. The emotions are: 

• Confidence – employees are set up for 

success and understand that the work 

they do contributes to the success of the 

organisation. 

• Secure – employees feel psychologically 

safe, that diversity among associates 

is embraced and have the support of 

their leader. With the higher cost of living 

employees are sensitive to news or rumors 

that may affect their income. 

• Hopeful – employees are encouraged to 

grow, develop new skills, and have the 

opportunity for personal and professional 

development. 

I would say that the Black Ferns ticked all 

those boxes and made it obvious that emotions 

matter in today’s world. 

The interpersonal skill of the immediate 

manager is a key factor in staff feeling secure, 

confident, and hopeful. This is perhaps why 

many businesses and organisation’s today are 

focusing on providing more opportunities for 

leadership development. 

However, with staff shortages it can be challenging 

releasing staff for training. 

Businesses acknowledge that building 

leadership and resilience skills are important, 

When dealing with 

people, remember 

you are not dealing with 

creatures of logic, but with 

creatures of emotion.” 

 

– Dale Carnegie 

but this can only be put off so long before the 

important becomes urgent. Urgent is usually 

when burn out kicks in, mistakes are made, 

or a competitor offers to meet our employee’s 

needs. 

There has been a real eagerness to return to 

in-person training. Where this has changed is 

in the use of technology incorporating learning 

management systems that provide pre and 

post training resources through a personalized 

learning portal. Participants access resources 

via their mobile device when and where they 

need them and can customize their learning 

plan and collaborate with their learning peers. 

This makes training more agile and responsive 

to participant needs. 

As a training provider, we have become 

more flexible to meet changing client needs 

by introducing a rolling schedule so if a day of 

training is missed due to sickness, staff shortage 

or an urgent order, that day can be made up 

or attended later. 

Dale Carnegie is also going back to the 

old, publishing revised and new books. There 

is something about reading a book that slows 

down the mind, enabling deep thinking, contemplation, 

and a shift in mindset. 

The future of work and of training is evolving, 

each situation is different, and we are all 

still working it out. One thing I am sure of is 

that we all need the support of a partner, mentor, 

immediate manager to help us through the 

constant change ahead. I have been fortunate 

to have had great support from Dale Carnegie 

and my business partner Andrea over the last 

25years to work through challenging times and 

to make the necessary changes. 

To be agile and resilient going forward 

your people need emotionally intelligent leaders 

who help them feel confident, secure, and 

hopeful. With that mindset we can view problems 

as opportunities and can look forward to 

many positive achievements in 2023! 

Take Command 

At Dale Carnegie, we work with you to build courage, confidence, and compassion 

among your workforce by drawing out people’s natural strengths, so they can take 

command of their roles and inspire teamwork across your organisation. 

Leadership Development Framework 

• Step Up to Leadership 

• The Dale Carnegie Course: Effective Communication & Human Relations 

• Develop Your Leadership: Stop Doing Start Leading 

• Leadership Training for Results: Unleash Talent in Others 

• High Impact Presentations 

“One of the surest ways of making a friend and influencing the 

opinion of another is to give consideration to their opinion, to let 

them sustain their feeling of importance” – Dale Carnegie 

Dale Carnegie BOP Waikato 

07 579 0484 

www.bopwaikato.dalecarnegie.com


EMPLOYMENT LAW 

Workplace law update 

KATE ASHCROFT AND 

CHRISTIE MCGREGOR, 

Partners, Copeland Ashcroft 

Kate and Christie act for 

employers across a wide range 

of industries nationwide, 

giving advice and providing 

representation in disputes. 

As we close out 2022, employers face pressure of labour shortages, 

high inflation and increased employee expectations (including of 

pay and conditions, culture and wellbeing measures). 

Significant workplace law changes are on 

the horizon as we head into 2023. Key 

issues for employers are: 

Immigration changes – Median wage 

continues to rise 

This year, Government implemented an 

accreditation system for employers seeking to 

employ migrant employees. It has also recently 

announced that the median wage ($27.76) is 

going to increase to $29.66 in February 2023. 

While migrant workers are in short supply 

across most industries, positively Immigration 

New Zealand processing times are remarkably 

speedy at present, providing some relief. 

Fair Pay Agreements 

The new law on fair pay agreements has been 

passed into law, with the new bargaining system 

commencing 1 December 2022. 

Fair pay agreements will establish an 

“award” system similar to Australia’s ‘modern 

awards’, setting minimum terms and conditions 

for workers across an industry or occupation. 

Employers in affected industries/occupations 

should ensure they are informed of and 

have their voices heard in bargaining, and 

ensure minimum terms are met. The challenge 

will be how to stand out when universal standards 

apply. 

Employee or Contractor? 

Scrutiny of independent contractor arrangements 

will continue, following several 

Employment Court decisions recently, the 

latest of which involved Uber drivers. In that 

case contractor drivers successfully argued 

they were employees. Other affected industries 

for scrutiny include construction and couriers, 

which have primarily operated using contractors 

until now. 

Additionally, the Tripartite Working Group 

of New Zealand continues to make recommendations 

to Government, urging it to provide 

more clarity around the definition of 

‘employee’, on the back of recent employee 

classification disputes. 

Health and Safety – WorkSafe’s focus 

Recently we have seen WorkSafe’s prosecution 

approach shift, including by focusing on 

small business owners and expanding the reach 

of health and safety obligations to previously 

unlikely parties. Common themes among officer 

prosecutions illustrate: 

• Inadequate training of workers, including 

on how to mitigate or eliminate hazards and 

risks; 

• Lack of knowledge of and departure from 

industry standards; 

• Failure to learn from previous health and 

safety incidents; and 

• Failure to identify hazards and implement 

controls adequately. 

Given the expanding interest and reach of 

WorkSafe, it is increasingly important that 

employers/officers are aware of and compliant 

with health and safety obligations. 

The issue of wellbeing in the workplace, 

and expectation that employers will manage 

psychosocial risks in the same way as other 

hazards is also high on the agenda, with Work- 

Safe releasing new resources to support businesses 

here. 

To address these issues, we 

recommend: 

Checking workplace policies and documentation 

are fit for purpose. If the way you work 

has changed, do these reflect your “new normal”? 

For example, if you have employees 

Scrutiny of independent contractor arrangements will 

continue, following several Employment Court decisions 

recently, the latest of which involved Uber drivers. In that case 

contractor drivers successfully argued they were employees.” 

regularly working from home, have you completed 

a health and safety risk assessment of 

their home workplace? Do your policies clearly 

set out expectations when working from home? 

Ensuring mental health and wellbeing are 

proactively supported and managed, including 

through policy and wellbeing measures. 

Making workplace culture a top priority. 

This is essential to support retention and 

recruitment of staff. 

Consider what makes you an employer 

of choice, how you communicate this to the 

market, as well as how to secure your MVPs 

to keep them committed to you. Keeping this 

focus is almost always more effective (and 

often cheaper) than having to counter a potential 

new employer’s offer. 

Review contracting arrangements, to make 

sure these are fit for purpose. If not, consider 

alternatives and any associated transition 

strategy. 

If you will hire migrant workers, get ready 

by securing accreditation early. This is essential 

to a smooth path, securing migrant candidates 

at offer stage. 

Other law changes 

There are also possible law changes coming 

around: 

• restraint of trades, with a Bill progressing 

through the legislative process to prohibit 

use of these except for senior employees; 

• sexual harassment claims, with a Bill progressing 

too on extension of the timeframe 

for raising these; and 

• income insurance protection for employees 

who are exited due to redundancy or medical 

incapacity, which is not yet at Bill stage 

but under consideration by Government, 

which would add to the cost of employment 

in that it would operate as a levy dependent 

on earnings, similar to the ACC scheme. 

Clear workplace strategy key 

Being prepared with a clear workplace strategy, 

with the right advice and documentation 

to support this, is essential to ensuring your 

workplace can compete in the current market 

and amidst the headwinds that business faces. 

Specialists in employment, immigration and health and safety law 

Copeland Ashcroft Workplace Lawyers provide specialist advice, representation 

and support across employment, immigration and health and safety law, to 

businesses throughout New Zealand. 

Why us? Put simply, as specialists in employment, immigration and health and 

safety law, we know our stuff. That means we efficiently assist you with pragmatic 

and specific advice, to suit your needs. We know what works, and we partner 

with you to achieve the results you want so you can get on with business. 

www.copelandashcroft.co.nz | Phone 07 577 8662 | Tauranga: Level 4, 35 Grey Street | Rotorua: 1268 Awara Street


EVENTS AND VENUES 

Artist impression of the potential future 

Trustpower Baypark. Supplied by Boffa 

Miskell & Visitor Solutions. 

A sense of place 

Working alongside 

Tauranga City 

Council, we have a series of 

big projects coming up 

that will transform and, in 

some cases, completely 

rebuild some of our ageing 

community facilities.” 

When you talk about Tauranga with 

friends, family and colleagues who 

live elsewhere, what do you say? 

No doubt our golden sand beaches get a 

mention. Mauao, too. The harbour. The climate. 

The lifestyle. 

Maybe you have also started talking about 

the growing tech scene here, or the big industry 

players providing good career opportunities. 

There’s the kiwifruit sector. The Port. 

All of these things, together, paint an 

appealing picture that continues to attract thousands 

more people to Tauranga each year. The 

population has boomed, and then some. 

I’m new myself, having come over the 

Kaimais from Hamilton last year, and I very 

quickly realised when I arrived that there is 

something else special about Tauranga that you 

only discover when you stay a while. 

There is a certain energy here that you only 

get in places where people are genuinely happy 

to be present. Tauranga is a city where people 

not only want to work and reside, but live. 

You notice it most in the spaces and places 

that our communities congregate. At the beach, 

for example, or a local market on a Saturday. I 

have seen it up close at the 24 venues we run 

across the city. 

This energy, I believe, is a sense of place – a 

relationship and connection that people have to 

their surroundings, to their home suburb or city, 

that goes beyond the practical. You don’t find 

it everywhere, but you do find it in Tauranga. 

Take, for example, 90-year-old Iris who has 

been swimming at the same community pool 

in Greerton for more than 50 years, since it 

first opened in 1971, and how she continues to 

swim there three mornings a week. Just look 

at the way she is greeted by the young squad 

swimmers and lifeguards when she arrives. 

And then there are people like James Patea. 

He and many of his Baypark colleagues knock 

off work and immediately jump on court to referee 

basketball, or play social netball – all in 

their own time, for their own leisure. 

When I came on board as the new chief 

executive of Bay Venues, I was determined that 

we would protect – and enhance – that sense 

of place. 

Each one of our venues has its own special 

character that people connect with. We want to 

celebrate that character and allow it to thrive. 

Bay Venues launched a new strategy and set 

of values earlier this year to help do that, with 

community the main focus and a new vision 

to be The Best Venues for the Bay. We want 

to host as many events and activities as possible 

and create exceptional experiences that will 

help connect people to their local communities. 

We also want to look after and improve all 

24 of our facilities, as kaitiaki of the whole 

network. 

The population of Tauranga has grown 

rapidly in the past decade and in that time no 

new aquatic centres, indoor sports facilities, 

or community centres have been built. The 

demand has grown exponentially, but the space 

available has not. 

We are now entering an exciting catch-up 

phase where we are firmly focused on the future 

and what this city will need going forward. 

Working alongside Tauranga City Council, 

we have a series of big projects coming up 

that will transform and, in some cases, completely 

rebuild some of our ageing community 

facilities. 

That includes our community halls and centres 

spread right across the city, from Pāpāmoa 

in the east, to Tauriko in the south, across to 

Bethlehem and everywhere in between. 

There is also the council’s active reserve 

masterplans project involving Trustpower 

Baypark, which could see the Te Maunga site 

become a community sports and recreation hub 

for Tauranga, hosting everything from athletics 

and gymnastics to court sports and beach 

sports. 

The vision is for a multi-use sporting precinct, 

a place where both residents and visitors 

can play and compete at all levels, and the preliminary 

plans include a new athletics facility, 

outdoor courts, a new gymnastics facility, sand 

courts, as well as dedicated green spaces, a 

playground, and walkways. 

On the other side of town, at Memorial Park, 

a major development is in the works that will 

cater to the residential intensification planned 

for the Te Papa peninsula. 

There will be a brand new modern indoor 

aquatic centre offering all the water-based 

activities and attractions similar to Baywave, 

and more. This will sit alongside an indoor 

four-court sports facility, a cafe, and a new 

gym. 

We also want to connect this Memorial Park 

complex with the central city and all the development 

happening there. I can see people biking 

and walking to work or school and stopping 

off at the pool or gym on their way home. 

Of course, all of this will take time and there 

will be some disruptions and growing pains 

along the way. 

We will need to find a balance between 

what we need to do now to have the best possible 

customer experience at our facilities, which 

host near two million visits a year, while at the 

same time planning for and building what our 

communities are going to need in 10 to 20 

years’ time. 

This requires us to be ambitious and bold, 

but we are not alone. Partnership is key. 

For 11 years I was the director of operations 

at H3, Hamilton City Council’s event and 

venue division. Before that, I managed shopping 

centres for more than a decade. 

It is that mix of community and commercial 

experience that has taught me the value of 

partnership. 

Bay Venues and Tauranga City Council 

are going to work closely every step of the 

way with key people and organisations in our 

communities. 

We will work with mana whenua, Sport 

Bay of Plenty, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Priority 

One, the business community, as well as the 

people and groups that use our venues every 

single day. 

I am the first to admit that we don’t know 

everything about every activity or event that 

happens in our facilities, so we are going to be 

in regular contact with the people who do and 

will be getting constant feedback on what’s 

important. Because, at the end of the day, we 

can’t do this without people. 

Our buildings are big, expensive assets 

that make all this community activity 

possible but, even though those assets 

are being improved and modernised and 

redeveloped, they are merely bricks and 

mortar. 

You don’t maintain and enhance a 

sense of place with just buildings, it’s 

about what happens in them. 

It’s about the passionate, committed 

staff working there, of whom I am in 

constant awe, and it’s about the regulars 

who turn up once, twice, three (or 

more!) times a week, who have made 

friends and formed a community with 

the familiar faces around them. 

If you ask some of those people 

about Tauranga, I think there’s a chance 

they might mention the community facility 

they visit each week. 

They might talk about why they go 

there, who they see there, or why that venue is 

important to them. 

My hope is that in the coming months and 

years more of our residents will build a similar 

connection, and that the city’s community 

facilities will become yet another talking point 

when you are explaining to friends, family and 

colleagues why Tauranga is the 

best place in the country to 

live. 

CHAD 

HOOKER 

Chief Executive 

Bay Venues


FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Personal service wins plaudits 

PETER HAWES, 

Milford Tauranga 

“Our clients tell us they really 

appreciate our personal 

service. That’s why we have 

the Milford Tauranga office, 

because we know our clients 

want to deal with advisers 

who know them, who know the 

area and who are part of the 

community – a community 

with its own challenges and its 

own unique relationships.” 

That’s the message from Milford’s Bay of 

Plenty lead adviser Peter Hawes. 

“For some, that personal contact 

advantage can be as simple as our team here 

helping a client fill out the occasional obligatory 

paper form. 

“For others in our Private Wealth service, 

it’s the personal adviser conversations,” says 

Peter. “But it’s not just the personal service,” 

he says with a smile: “The after-fee returns are 

important to clients too of course.” 

The Milford KiwiSaver Plan for example 

has been a solid choice for investors with 

pleasing comparative after-fee return levels 

for clients. “Our clients are looking for optimum 

return, after fees, from the funds they are 

invested in; Milford has a proven track record 

of providing them,” says Peter. 

Milford 

Milford was formed in 2003 by an experienced 

group of individuals who recognised the need 

for an investment company to provide New 

Zealanders a world-class investment partner 

they could trust. 

Milford currently has more than $16 billion 

of funds under management. 

The company’s founding principles include 

an active management investment philosophy, 

employees investing alongside clients and 

long-term staff ownership. 

The company has regional offices throughout 

the country. 

Rapid expansion in the Bay of Plenty region 

in recent years led to the opening of Milford’s 

Tauranga office in 2021. 

Peter Hawes and Milford Tauranga team 

Peter joined Milford in 2021 bringing more 

than 30 years’ experience in financial services. 

He has an extensive knowledge of investment 

management in NZ. He specialises in providing 

advice to high-net-worth individuals, families, 

and trustees of family trusts. 

Peter says that while he probably spends 

about 70 percent of his time in the office, he 

enjoys the 30 percent he spends out on the road 

with clients – those clients are spread from Gisborne 

in the south to Waihi Beach in the north. 

The private wealth clients range from longterm 

Bay of Plenty residents to those who have 

recently chosen to move or retire to the Bay. 

His colleague, adviser Donna Stewart, who 

joined the team in 2021, has spent 24 years in 

the financial services industry in New Zealand 

and Australia and brings a wealth of experience 

in the farming and agriculture sector. 

The team is very well supported by the most 

recent member, associate Kim Bell. Kim also 

has vast experience and focuses on delivering 

exceptional client service. 

Walking the talk 

“When it comes to community and looking 

after our client’s interests, we walk the talk,” 

says Peter. 

Milford’s Tauranga team members support 

numerous local community initiatives and 

business groups – Donna is involved in businesswomen’s 

networking and the Tauranga 

Business Chamber and Peter with professional 

accounting and legal partnerships and mentoring 

programs. The team has a strong community 

ethos. 

As well as supporting local charities, the 

Milford Foundation, set up by Milford in 2020, 

has also recently launched two tertiary scholarships 

for Bay of Plenty school leavers. 

According to Peter, this is a way for the Milford 

Foundation to offer significant opportunities 

to young people who may not have otherwise 

been able to pursue tertiary study. 

“We hope this may help change lives, and in 

these difficult times we think that’s incredibly 

important.” 

2022: a year of challenges 

Peter admits 2022 has been a challenging year 

for everyone. 

“Our key focus in 2022 has been to keep 

in touch with our clients and to keep them 

well informed. We aim to keep our investors 

well-informed every step of the way. This is 

particularly pertinent in tough times, which 

are part of investing. Investing in markets is 

rewarding over the long-term though the experience 

isn’t without highs and lows. 

“Milford are active fund managers, and we 

always aim to work with our clients on setting 

financial goals and providing sound advice to 

help achieve them.” 

The digital advice tools on the Milford website 

are free and available to everyone wanting 

to invest with Milford. 

Personal wealth clients can tailor their contact 

with the team to what they feel suits them 

best. 

“While markets and returns have been challenging 

in 2022, my message has remained 

unchanged throughout: Typically markets 

rebound, so be patient.” 

2023: Stay informed and be patient 

With current inflation volatility, rising interest 

rates, economic uncertainties and international 

political turmoil, we risk becoming too focused 

on the short-term impacts of these factors. To 

a degree, markets are usually forward looking 

and will commonly also reflect longer-term 

expectations. 

“There may be continued pressures in 2023 

– taking a long-range view may be useful. 

His advice for the year ahead: stay well-informed 

and take sound advice from trusted 

advisers. 

Local, and invested in you 

We have been servicing many clients in the Bay of Plenty region for a number 

of years, managing their investments, offering expert financial advice and 

delivering a high level of client satisfaction. 

We know the value of being involved in the local community, developing a richer 

connection with our clients and gaining a deeper understanding of their needs. 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your investment goals. 

To talk to one of our team and arrange an appointment, 

please phone us on (07) 987 2390 

Financial Adviser disclosure statements are available on request free of charge. 

For more information on our financial advice services visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice 

(07) 987 2390 

milfordasset.com 

Our Team: 

Donna Stewart and Peter Hawes


INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

Our objective is not to sell 

unnecessary IT on the 

‘bleeding edge’, or to prop 

up outdated technology 

with dusty old manuals, but 

rather enable companies to 

work from what we call the 

‘inside edge’ of what is 

relevant tech today.” 

Creating an enviable 

workplace with the right IT 

Stratus Blue CEO MIKE BELL talks about how the team 

is working intuitively with clients, rather than providing 

businesses with endless IT fixes so they can focus on their vision 

and retaining top talent. 

Stratus Blue is an IT Managed Service 

Provider (MSP) and for the past six years 

we have been equipping companies in 

the Bay of Plenty and beyond with the support, 

security, and technology infrastructure they 

need to remove the overwhelm and future-proof 

their IT. 

Our objective is not to sell unnecessary IT 

on the ‘bleeding edge’, or to prop up outdated 

technology with dusty old manuals, but rather 

enable companies to work from what we call 

the ‘inside edge’ of what is relevant tech today. 

This is especially true since Covid-19 

changed the way businesses operate indefinitely. 

One thing Covid has taught us all, is how 

interdependent we all are, and I believe we are 

all still catching up with how much the last 

three years has radically changed the way we 

do life and work. 

Rethinking what the workplace looks like 

in a post-Covid world has become vital for 

businesses to attract and retain top talent, and 

that has had a huge impact on businesses’ IT 

infrastructure. 

This is most evident in the way employees 

are wanting to work. Even though things are 

open again and people can come back to the 

office, organisations are experiencing team 

members and new hires wanting to retain the 

flexibility of working from home that the pandemic 

introduced. 

For the IT industry, this has required businesses 

like Stratus Blue to change emphasis 

and really focus on our response to three key 

areas: remote work competency, communication 

capability and security. 

Organisations need remote solutions where 

Company IP is protected, and where staff can 

work securely from anywhere yet stay connected. 

Businesses cannot afford to maintain 

the same attitudes towards IT security that they 

had three years ago. 

We are seeing a huge jump in security 

breaches to businesses of all sizes in New 

Zealand, with forecasts predicting that this is 

going to become an ever-increasing issue year 

One thing Covid has 

taught us all, is how 

interdependent we all are, 

and I believe we are all still 

catching up with how much 

the last three years has 

radically changed the way 

we do life and work.” 

ABOUT MIKE 

Six years ago, I moved from London to 

Pāpāmoa with my family and haven’t 

looked back, falling in love with all 

the Bay of Plenty has to offer regarding 

work, play and raising a family. In 

2019, I joined the Stratus Blue team as 

General Manager, and in 2022, stepped 

into serving the Stratus Blue team and 

customers as CEO. 

Whether working in local Government 

or large tech companies in the 

UK, I have always enjoyed managing 

many variables and aiming them 

towards a better future. 

As a leader, I’m not driven by prestige 

or status, but by potential being 

realised in the people I serve and what 

we are trying to create together. I believe 

relevancy to culture is not optional, it’s 

a must, and due to the times we have 

been facing, work culture has significantly 

changed, and we must be agile 

and act accordingly. 

after year. Security measures like Multi-Factor 

Authentication (MFA) and Endpoint Detection 

and Response (EDR) tended to be adopted by 

the more vigilant and risk-averse organisations 

but are now industry standard essentials. 

Our team have been working hard to remove 

the ‘guesswork’ for our customers and provide 

quality and clarity to make this shift in IT strategy 

as simple as possible, enabling our clients 

to offer the culture and security that top talent 

are searching for. 

In 2023, we will launch an end-user package 

we call “Essentials”. This package will 

include everything you need for everyday work 

and communication, industry-standard security 

mitigation and remote support from our team 

of experts. With a predictable per-user monthly 

price – it’s everything you need and nothing 

you don’t. 

For our team, we are embracing the shift that 

Covid-19 brought to our lives, and our ongoing 

focus is creating a culture where people grow 

and want to stay. We strongly invest in our people 

by providing each team member with individual 

coaching and mentoring from our Culture 

Coach in their innate talents using Gallup’s 

tool, CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder), and 

help them set goals for work and life. We also 

provide team workshops to better understand 

each other’s unique work styles and give the 

team opportunities to increase their skills and 

knowledge in IT. 

The challenges businesses are facing are real 

and complex. However, the ingenuity and ‘can 

do’ attitude I have experienced in the Bay of 

Plenty have led me to think the best years are 

ahead of us, and I’m excited to be part of a team 

of forward thinkers wanting to take it head-on. 

Making Quality IT, 

Simple 

www.stratusblue.co.nz 

0800 2 ASSIST


KIWIFRUIT 

“Rising to the challenge” 

DAN MATHIESON, 

Zespri CEO 

Zespri and the New Zealand kiwifruit 

industry have faced a particularly challenging 

2022 season. 

The ongoing impact of Covid-19 across the 

global supply chain, the shortage of people, rising 

costs and poorer fruit quality have presented 

significant headwinds for our industry. 

Some of these are expected to remain in front 

of us for the 2023 season, where we anticipate 

having smaller than expected crop volumes 

following the significant frost event across the 

Waikato and Bay of Plenty and relatively poor 

budbreak. 

While this is a challenging environment for 

growers and our industry, what continues to give 

us confidence is the fact that more and more 

people around the world continue to see value in 

and want more of the great quality and healthy 

kiwifruit our growers produce. 

After a very tough couple of seasons, our 

industry is doubling down its focus on finding 

solutions to our immediate and longer term challenges, 

and looking to come out stronger as we 

go into 2023 and the years ahead. 

We have some of the most innovative and 

passionate growers in the world – many of 

whom are based here in the Bay, strong partnerships 

throughout our global supply chain, 

a globally-recognised brand which consumers 

trust, and a group of resilient people committed 

to providing customers and consumers with the 

world’s best kiwifruit. 

It’s these attributes that will continue to allow 

us to address the challenges we’re facing, and 

bring value back to our growers and our communities 

in 2023 and in the years ahead. 

As much as we’re focused on looking to 

address our short-term headwinds, we’re also 

making sure that we’re considering how we best 

achieve our long-term growth potential. 

We know that consumers today are not just 

making purchasing decisions based on a product, 

but on how it is produced and the impact it 

has on the environment. 

There is an increasing expectation from 

stakeholders that businesses have to look at climate 

change with the same focus as they look at 

financial forecasts, and a very clear expectation 

from customers and consumers that more sustainable 

practice should be built into how a company 

grows and obtains value for its products. 

Our work in this space continues, and we’ve 

already made steady progress towards the goals 

and long-term sustainability commitments 

we’ve set. We’ve set out our Climate Change 

Strategy, identified our key Climate Change 

Risks and Opportunities, invested in innovation 

to explore new cultivars that may thrive in a 

warmer climate and continued our research to 

better understand how we can best mitigate the 

impact of climate change. 

And this week, we’ve released a Climate 

Change Adaptation Plan – Adapting to Thrive in 

a Changing Climate – which outlines how our 

Our industry faces a 

bright future if we 

continue to make positive 

decisions and grow in a way 

which is good for our 

communities and the 

environment.” 

industry intends to adapt to a changing climate 

both here in New Zealand and in our offshore 

growing locations so that we can transition to a 

low-carbon, climate-resilient future. 

We’re an industry that is already experiencing 

and responding to climate change, with 

growers adjusting their growing practices and 

post-harvest facilities adjusting the packing of 

fruit, in light of warmer temperatures. 

Our plan considers the impact of climate 

change not just from a physical perspective, but 

also the changes we’re likely to see at a regulatory 

level, along with the heightened expectation 

from our customers and consumers that we 

are adapting our approach. 

It includes more than 40 actions Zespri and 

the wider industry will build on over time to 

future-proof the growing and breeding of kiwifruit, 

maintain fruit quality and manage supply, 

and protect the industry’s financial future. 

This includes supporting growers to adopt 

climate resilient practices like efficient water 

use, investing in climate-resilient cultivars with 

the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre, developing a 

future-focused climate research programme 

which assesses the effects of climate change on 

productivity and profitability, and lessening our 

exposure to carbon costs by reducing emissions. 

We know there’s a lot of work to do, but by 

co-ordinating our efforts as an industry we’ll be 

more effective, putting us in the best position 

to continue to deliver sustainable returns to our 

growers and industry as the climate continues to 

change. 

Our industry faces a bright future if we continue 

to make positive decisions and grow in a 

way which is good for our communities and the 

environment. 

With kiwifruit representing less than 1 percent 

of the global fruit bowl, and demand growing 

quickly as the world focuses on health and 

wellbeing and plant-based diets, it’s critical we 

continue to look ahead to strengthen our industry’s 

future and be ready for the opportunities 

and challenges in front of us. 

We’re committed to doing that by growing in 

a sustainable and purposeful way that adds value 

for growers and our communities right here in 

the Bay. 

HELPING PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES AND THE 

ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE WORLD THRIVE 

rough e g dne of kiwifruit


LAW 

Why more top lawyers are 

moving to Cooney Lees 

Morgan 

A growing desire to combine career and lifestyle opportunities 

means Bay residents and businesses now have access to some of 

New Zealand’s sharpest legal minds and courtroom operators. 

Our region’s enviable weather and lifestyle, 

combined with the hefty and challenging 

legal work on offer at Cooney 

Lees Morgan, is attracting an increasing number 

of highly-skilled lawyers to Tauranga from 

a variety of backgrounds. 

The firm continues to recruit top talent and 

now employs well over 100 staff who handle 

significant deals and clients on a nationwide 

scale. 

CLM recently spearheaded a $300m property 

partnership between Tauranga-based Classic 

Group and the New Zealand Super Fund; 

administered Zespri’s $350m annual grower 

licensing project; advised multiple Councils 

and private employers on how to implement 

mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policies; and 

appeared before the Court of Appeal to represent 

clients regarding Resource Management 

case law of national significance. 

It’s that reputation and capability that 

caught the eye of Greg Stringer who is a former 

partner of a prominent Auckland law firm. 

He has spent his entire 30 year career working 

in South Auckland, going head-to-head with 

renowned KCs and senior lawyers in the High 

Court and Court of Appeal – and has now relocated 

to Tauranga to work at CLM. 

As a child, Greg spent a year living in 

Ohope, near Whakatane, and has always 

loved the Bay of Plenty. “Tauranga just really 

appealed because it’s a growing place. It’s a 

vibrant city that has some really good work, 

but also has the outdoor lifestyle aspects like 

the beach and tramping which I love. Cooneys 

has a good culture, good systems and is a modern 

firm. 

“I always use the analogy that a good law 

firm is like a good pub quiz team – you have 

to have a range of experience and ages to get 

a good mix. They also have a great range of 

high quality work which was important to me 

as well. I want to continue to be challenged and 

keep growing as a lawyer.” 

As Special Counsel at Cooney Lees Morgan, 

Greg is now working across the firm’s 

family law, civil litigation and local government 

teams, collaborating with his new colleagues 

and mentoring younger lawyers. 

“I’m able to react quickly and can cover 

anything because I’ve worked across so many 

different areas. I’m a safe pair of hands and can 

add value, and it’s a good symbiotic relationship 

– I can do the sort of work I want to without 

the pressures of being a Partner, and can 

enjoy being part of a great team as well.” 

The chance to enjoy the Bay of Plenty 

lifestyle is also what drew Robbie Bennett to 

Cooneys in April this year, leaving behind a 

role at a top tier law firm in Auckland where he 

spent the previous five years. 

He is now a Senior Associate in Cooney’s 

Property & Development Team and advises 

clients on a range of property and commercial 

matters including large-scale property sales, 

acquisitions, leasing arrangements, developments 

and syndications. During his eight year 

career, Robbie has acted for a number of clients 

in deals worth well in excess of $100m, 

and Cooneys continues to provide him with 

high-quality, challenging work. 

“There is definitely the opportunity to 

become involved in complex legal work and 

large transactions here. I’ve also enjoyed the 

challenge of becoming a more well-rounded 

lawyer and advising clients on a wider range 

of legal matters, such as funding and corporate 

structural aspects rather than just pure property 

work. I’ve become more involved in clients’ 

whole end-to-end business rather than just one 

aspect of it which is very satisfying.” 

Greater lifestyle opportunities and Auckland’s 

high house prices also contributed to 

Robbie’s decision to relocate to Tauranga with 

his partner, Becky. But ultimately, the opportunity 

to work at Cooneys was too good to pass 

up. 

“Cooneys has a really good reputation and 

it’s a good opportunity to build my practice and 

my career. There’s a supportive and collegial 

atmosphere and everyone gets on well.” 

Having grown up in Hamilton, Robbie is 

GREG STRINGER, Special Counsel and 

ROBBIE BENNETT, Senior Associate, Cooney Lees Morgan 

excited to now live in the Bay of Plenty and is 

looking forward to his first summer as a local. 

“I’m definitely enjoying the region’s lifestyle 

opportunities and a more relaxed pace of life. A 

round of golf or a morning walk with our dog 

are my ideal ways to unwind.” 

CLM’s CEO Cecilia Burgess says the 

arrival of Greg and Robbie are just two examples 

of the depth of legal talent now available 

at the firm to support growing Bay businesses 

and private clients. “Cooneys has been pivotal 

to the growth of Tauranga for more than a century. 

We’re proud to continue providing that 

vital legal support and have all the expertise on 

hand to help our clients thrive and achieve their 

goals.” 

Tyler Buckley 

Ocean Swimmer + Associate Lawyer


MANUFACTURING 

Opportunities in manufacturing 

The traditional perceptions of manufacturing as an industry primarily focused on mass production have become outdated. While 

materials and assembly – bashing steel, fitting parts – is still the crucial function of a manufacturing company, to prosper in a modern 

business environment requires a wider scope of work characterised by a commitment to innovation within each major business function. 

MICHAEL SIEVWRIGHT 

CEO Trimax Mowing Systems 

With the introduction 

of our welding 

robots, we’ve been able to 

transition a valuable skill set 

into a role with less physical 

demand and increased 

longevity. Our welders can 

train, develop, and extend 

their careers, and Trimax 

can provide more 

opportunities for a wider 

workforce.” 

Today’s manufacturing landscape contains 

a multitude of diverse roles – and with 

them, a wider range of opportunities for 

employee development and retention. Trimax 

Mowing Systems in Greerton, Tauranga has 

adopted such a holistic view in their company 

structure, incorporating design, engineering, 

sales, service, marketing, business development, 

and distribution along with their production 

capabilities. 

Michael Sievwright, CEO of Trimax Mowing 

Systems, summarises: “Trimax is a customer-driven 

company that manufactures, not 

only a manufacturer.” Here Michael outlines 

three key strategies that set Trimax apart from 

their manufacturing contemporaries. 

Embracing process and technology 

“In the New Zealand manufacturing environment, 

we have to invest in effective process 

and automation. Developing thorough standard 

operating procedures, designing for manufacture, 

and incorporating automation are essential 

for us to advance in the competitive global 

market.” 

Driving acceptance for new processes, 

especially in a company like Trimax that has 

been actively in production for over 40 years, 

can sometimes pose a challenge. 

Working with the operations team to communicate 

the reasoning behind the changes and 

the benefits that they bring to the company, as 

well as encouraging active collaboration from 

team members throughout the integration process, 

has allowed Trimax to successfully integrate 

new systems with eager cooperation from 

experienced staff. 

Trimax emphasises automation as a tool and 

an investment not only for production but for 

staff development. The recent incorporation of 

welding robots in the New Zealand factory has 

been successfully implemented with this longterm 

upskilling approach. 

“Welding is quite physical. With the introduction 

of our welding robots, we’ve been able 

to transition a valuable skill set into a role with 

less physical demand and increased longevity. 

Our welders can train, develop, and extend 

their careers, and Trimax can provide more 

opportunities for a wider workforce.” 

The addition of some automated work functions 

has also allowed Trimax to increase their 

productivity. “The robots are allowing our 

team to achieve two to three times the output 

that we could achieve with traditional welding 

alone, and the machinery isn’t even running at 

full capacity.” 

Applying globally learned lessons 

Trimax’s target customer bases are closely connected 

to their land, placing inherent value on 

the ability to be physically close to their markets. 

The focus on relationship building and 

collaborative problem solving throughout the 

Trimax sales process also necessitates a fixed 

local presence in the locations where the company 

plans to grow and expand their business. 

Since the mid-1980s, Trimax has established 

a global infrastructure that includes local 

staff and facilities not only in New Zealand but 

also in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the 

United States. 

“We have facilities in those countries. We 

manufacture in those countries. But New Zealand 

is still a core part of our business and operation. 

Through our internal knowledge sharing 

we’re able to bring value from our experiences 

in other markets back to our operations in the 

Bay of Plenty, and vice versa.” 

The Bay of Plenty has 

a surprisingly high 

concentration of high-value 

manufacturing businesses. 

We can grow our region’s 

capability by coming 

together as a community to 

share our knowledge and 

best practices.” 

Trimax hosts their engineering team and 

knowledge base here in New Zealand, serving 

as a centralised hub for their global operations. 

Steady communication with their international 

facilities enables Trimax to centrally incorporate 

beneficial developments across all their 

locations and promotes a consistent customer 

experience no matter where in the world a customer 

is based. 

This global consistency is especially 

important due to Trimax’s high global export 

volumes. With manufacturing facilities firmly 

established in three out of four of their major 

markets, product can be moved around the 

world to meet global demand without concern 

over differing manufacturing methodologies or 

quality between mowers produced in different 

factories. 

Planning for continuous development 

The outlook for New Zealand’s manufacturing 

sector is constantly evolving as new technological 

and procedural developments gain 

traction. Staying at the forefront of the industry 

entails a high level of vigilance to up-and-coming 

trends and the foresight to understand how 

new technologies might be applied within the 

framework of Trimax’s business. 

In such situations, the development of a 

community of practice can be mutually beneficial 

to all those involved. “The Bay of Plenty 

has a surprisingly high concentration of highvalue 

manufacturing businesses. We can grow 

our region’s capability by coming together as 

a community to share our knowledge and best 

practices.” 

Most important is maintaining the right 

mindset. Recognising that there is always 

room for improvement and remaining open to 

the possibility of finding a better way prevents 

companies like Trimax from getting stagnant 

and increases the agility of the overall business. 

Trimax underscores this tenant through 

one of their main pillars of culture: Stay curious 

and humble.


MEMBER ORGANISATION 

A post-pandemic future for 

businesses 

As we reflect on a challenging year of 

rebuilding for businesses, we share our 

Bay of Plenty members’ cautious optimism 

around what 2023 will look like for business, 

the economy, our people and communities. 

The export sector continues to carry New 

Zealand’s prosperity “on its shoulders” and the 

Bay of Plenty is the vanguard of that activity, 

in every sense. 

While we remain wary of the presence of 

Covid-19, we consider the impacts, both mentally 

and financially, that this has had on EMA 

members across all regions. 

During our recent regional Bay of Plenty 

briefings, members voiced their concerns 

around skill shortages and access to people 

during the kiwifruit season, roading projects 

and infrastructure frustrations, including 

lengthy delays of the Tauriko Network Plan 

and Port of Tauranga expansion. 

Extracting more for these large-scale projects, 

or at least an equal per capita share of 

central Government spending, is critical as is 

revitalising struggling town centres. Funding 

is one element and that means acknowledging 

and using other tools to help fund infrastructure 

and redevelopment. Speed remains the most 

critical element lacking across the region. The 

issues are known, but the answers are taking 

too long. 

We are pleased to be part of a business 

group working with the Commissioners and 

Council on these issues. 

Where have the people gone? 

Members voiced their 

concerns around skill 

shortages and access to 

people during the kiwifruit 

season, roading projects and 

infrastructure frustrations, 

including lengthy delays 

of the Tauriko Network 

Plan and Port of Tauranga 

expansion. 

Across the Bay of Plenty business community, 

skill shortages and wellbeing in the modern 

workplace are common areas of concern. We 

recently undertook a Skills Shortage Survey 

which returned over 330 responses from 50 

sectors. Over 40 per cent of respondents mentioned 

an inability to secure staff, even with 

some roles having been advertised for a year. 

There exists a huge demand for goods and 

services from businesses in the Bay of Plenty, 

but the skill shortage is impacting capacity 

and placing pressure on existing staff. Our 

members have expressed their need for more 

assistance interacting with the new immigration 

system, and our partners, Malcolm Pacific 

Immigration, have been invaluable in that area. 

We launched our People Experience Practice 

in February. This aims to support businesses 

to become great employers and people 

leaders by helping them invest in and retain 

their people. The programme provides access 

to an extensive resource library (co-designed 

by Deloitte) and delivers on-tap expertise for 

businesses. 

EMA Learning have been committed to 

refining its learning solutions to help the 

business community grow their people. This 

ensures we can better handle the fundamental 

changes that are happening in our working 

world. Our team have also worked with many 

By BRETT O’RILEY, Chief Executive, Employers & 

Manufacturers Association (EMA) 

businesses on their talent management plans 

and designed tailored business programmes. 

With almost 4,000 learners participating in 

our courses this year, learning has become one 

of the essential ways to fight the war on talent. 

Wellbeing in the modern workplace 

Alongside Auckland Business Chamber, we’ve 

co-developed First Steps (www.firststeps.nz). 

This Government-funded programme, which is 

now available across New Zealand, encourages 

business owners, managers and employees to 

prioritise wellbeing to ensure they continue 

growing and developing their businesses while 

living balanced, fulfilling lives. 

With over 72,000 visits to the firststeps.nz 

website, and nearly 7,000 hours of free clinical 

therapy already accessed, the benefits have 

been rapidly highlighted by business owners. 

Our nib / EMA Workplace Wellbeing Survey 

also underlined the importance of workplace 

wellbeing. The results were staggering 

– over 1,200 people completed the survey, and 

one in four reported a desire to change jobs in 

the next 12 months. 

This sends a warning bell that businesses 

need to pay attention to their employees’ wellbeing 

or risk their own productivity and sustainability. 

According to many respondents, the 

primary cause of workplace stress was understaffing, 

which leads to unmanageable workloads, 

poor work-life balance and pressure to 

work longer hours. 

We’ll continue navigating this post-pandemic 

environment with you, so we can all 

flourish and contribute to our country and 

communities. We wish everyone in the Bay of 

Plenty the best for the festive season, and we 

look forward to being in your corner in 2023. 

Struggling to nd 

and retain talent? 

We're here to help you attract, 

develop and engage the right skills. 

Call one of our consultants on 0800 300 362 

or nd out more at talent.ema.co.nz


INTRODUCING TAURANGA’S MP 

Sam Uffindell and National 

delivering for Tauranga 

Sam Uffindell has been MP for 

Tauranga since June 2022 and 

has been working incredibly 

hard to set Tauranga up to be 

the best city to live, work and 

enjoy in New Zealand. 

Photo / Martin Cowan 

SAM UFFINDELL, 

MP for Tauranga 

Tauranga’s new MP, Sam Uffindell, 

was elected to Parliament following a 

by-election brought on by the retirement 

of Simon Bridges. 

Since coming into his role, Uffindell has 

experienced a baptism of fire. He rode through 

the challenge with resilience and the significant 

support of his electorate. He has come 

out the other side a much more battle hardened 

member and a highly visible leader within the 

Tauranga community. 

What’s clear from watching Uffindell is his 

calm and easy nature with constituents, relentless 

work ethic and long term vision for Tauranga 

and New Zealand. 

All those that have met Uffindell will notice 

that he’s genuinely friendly, open, laid back 

and interested in people. He has an easy way 

about him and makes others feel comfortable. 

He has all the hallmarks of a successful long 

term electorate MP. One gets the feeling he 

really wants to help those living in Tauranga 

and has hired an extremely open and hard 

working set of staff to run his electorate office 

in Third Avenue. 

During the by-election campaign, Uffindell 

was easily the most visible of all candidates. 

He and his volunteers knocked on a significant 

majority of all the residential doors in Tauranga. 

Uffindell personally visited many businesses 

throughout Tauranga, whether they be 

in our CBD, Tauriko Business Estate, the retail 

shops along Maunganui Road or businesses 

through the Mount industrial area. 

He was there to meet with businesses, to let 

them know that their local MP cared for them 

and was genuinely interested in addressing 

their concerns. 

The major areas of feedback given to Uffindell 

from Tauranga businesses is the labour 

crisis, congestion and regulation. He is taking 

those concerns and driving for change locally 

and from Wellington. Since returning to duty 

in September, Uffindell has been visible at 

an endless list of events across Tauranga. He 

is clearly putting in the hard yards to assure 

voters that in him they have an incredibly hard 

working MP that is dedicated to delivering for 

the people of Tauranga. 

Uffindell has been quite clear about his 

vision for Tauranga: to make it the best city to 

live, work and enjoy in New Zealand. He also 

envisions Tauranga becoming a tech hub, ideally, 

the tech capital of New Zealand. 

The National Party has given Uffindell portfolio 

roles that could help bring this vision to 

life. He is National’s Associate Spokesperson 

for Economic and Regional Development and 

Research, Science, AI, Innovation and Technology. 

The Economic and Regional Development 

role gives him considerable scope to help 

shape the future of Tauranga and the wider Bay 

of Plenty. 

He is an incredibly strong advocate for dramatically 

improving the infrastructure feeding 

Tauranga. This includes extensions of SH29 

to allow the development of tens of thousands 

of new homes and a four lane, grade separated 

SH29 all the way over the Kaimai’s to SH1. 

The upgrade of Hewletts/Hull/Totara is also 

critical to Tauranga as a key artery connecting 

Tauranga to the Mount and to the Port. He 

would like for some serious long term strategic 

planning and infrastructure development to 

take place to see that when SH29 and Hewletts/ 

Hull/Totara are upgraded they are developed 

with 2050 in mind, not yesterday. 

Uffindell has publicly advocated for the 

Port of Tauranga to expand and develop a 

third birth. This is critical for the Port to be 

able to manage exporting our goods. Uffindell 

believes it would be a travesty if local businesses 

and growers were denied the ability to 

grow because the government has not held up 

their end and limited growth through a lack of 

suitable infrastructure. 

Technology is something that Uffindell 

is very passionate about. He cites Tauranga’s 

proximity to the kiwifruit capital of New 

Zealand, location within the golden triangle, 

expansion of Waikato University and amazing 

climate as key factors to draw in young people. 

He wants Tauranga to lead the country 

for agri-tech and hort-tech; services in which 

New Zealand could lead the world. There is 

huge potential in these industries and Uffindell 

is highly driven to support their development 

here in Tauranga. 

With the rapid development of our city, and 

passionate local advocates like Sam Uffindell, 

there is a real sense that Tauranga will achieve 

its ambitions and become the best city to live, 

work and enjoy in New Zealand. 

Sam Uffindell 

MP for Tauranga 

35a Third Avenue Tauranga 3110 

07 577 0923 

taurangaMP@parliament.govt.nz 

SamUffindellTauranga 

Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Sam 

Uffindell MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.


PROPERTY INVESTMENT FUNDS 

Bethlehem town centre, acquired by PMG Funds. 

Investing in your future 

PMG Funds has an enviable 30-year track record of supporting investors through economic cycles. The Tauranga-headquartered business 

has grown from a small group of investors’ money in 1992 to a portfolio of 40 properties managed through five investment funds valued 

at over $900 million. Chief Executive Officer Scott McKenzie, who recently celebrated 10-years at the helm of PMG, shares his thoughts on 

keeping calm through times of economic turbulence and what opportunities exist for astute investors. 

The road ahead 

From a geopolitical and economic perspective, 

the road ahead is more unclear than 

ever. 

We don’t know what’s around the corner – 

but it’s likely to be a bumpy ride. Over the next 

year, rising inflation, high interest rates and 

issues with supply will reduce discretionary 

incomes to levels well below what we’re used 

to. This will add a further sense of jeopardy and 

complexity to investors’ decision making and 

will call for cool heads. 

The economy is propelled in cycles, which 

means the market naturally rises and falls. The 

speed with which it does this may change, but 

ultimately it keeps moving forward. By having 

a clear and well-advised investment strategy 

and maintaining a long-term investment horizon 

with a focus on regular cashflow, these 

short-term market movements should be nothing 

to fear. 

Focus on getting the most out of what 

you have 

At PMG, we’re big believers in controlling 

what we can control. Careful stewardship and 

smart strategy allow us to keep building scale 

and income resilience irrespective of the economic 

climate. And I think this guiding philosophy 

is sound whether you’re managing $900 

million of assets or a handful of investments. 

Over the last year we’ve focused on ensuring 

SCOTT MCKENZIE. 

Chief Executive Officer, 

PMG 

each of our funds is well-positioned, through 

decreasing levels of debt, to take advantage 

of opportunities to grow their portfolios that 

may arise. In uncertain times, it’s important to 

have the agility to take proactive steps and not 

remain passive. 

Equally, our fund managers talk about 

increasing exposure to defensive income resilient 

properties, sectors or companies that are 

positioned to survive and thrive through difficult 

periods, for example through uninterrupted 

demand or Government backing. 

Our long-term view on wealth creation 

is underpinned by risk management through 

diversification. Diversification can be achieved 

through geography and/or exposure to multiple 

sectors – and it’s a philosophy that we apply to 

all our Funds. 

Don’t invest it all at once 

This probably sounds a little counter-intuitive 

coming from an investment fund manager, but 

liquidity is an essential component of successful 

investment, allowing you to react swiftly to 

better buying opportunities as they arise. 

Successful investors often say, you make 

your money when you buy. With market volatility, 

what that looks like in real terms is 

acquiring assets that have the potential for 

higher returns later down the track. 

This could be a property that has some 

vacancy and is currently undervalued but well 

positioned to achieve long-term market value, 

or one that needs development, but the cost 

and programme variables of carrying out that 

development has increased risk. Whilst no one 

can pick the bottom of a market, buying at 

the right time at good value means potentially 

enhancing returns when markets recover again. 

Consider the bigger picture 

Success is very rarely an overnight 

phenomenon and there are no shortcuts for 

investments, so make sure you do your own 

research and seek input from qualified people 

before picking your investment path. 

At PMG, we don’t view all opportunities 

purely through the prism of growing 

wealth. Rather we acknowledge the need to 

consider the impact on the planet and our 

communities. 

This year we published our Sustainability 

Report – a first for the unlisted managed 

funds sector in New Zealand. 

Just as we have led the charge in 

establishing the property funds management 

industry over this last decade, we also want 

to play a leadership role in encouraging 

the sector to actively respond to the need 

for action around building environmental 

performance. 

We’re equally passionate about improving 

financial literacy. 

It’s unacceptable that New Zealand is 

below the OECD average in this regard, so 

we continue to support this through growing 

financial literacy for our young people 

through Life Education Trust’s SMART$. 

With investment, it’s important to consider 

the bigger picture – not just for us but for the 

legacy we leave for our future generations. 

For more information on PMG, visit pmgfunds.co.nz/invest. 

The information in this article is of a general nature and was current as at 21 November 2022. It is not intended to be regulated financial advice for the purpose of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, and does not 

take your individual circumstances and financial situation into account. PMG does not provide financial advice. Please seek advice from a licenced financial advice provider before making any investment decisions. 

A solid past, 

a strong future. 

Since 1992, our proven success through multiple economic 

cycles has made PMG one of New Zealand's most established 

licensed unlisted property funds management companies. 

Find out how PMG can support your financial 

future at pmgfunds.co.nz 

07 578 3494 

info@pmgfunds.co.nz


RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE 

Where is the real estate 

industry headed in 2023? 

2023 marks an interesting point in the New 

Zealand real estate market cycle, especially 

compared to the previous decade. 

According to Property Brokers’ regional 

manager, Simon Short, “We have experienced 

a bull market of sorts over an extended period 

where demand from buyers has simply outstretched 

the supply of listings. 

“Prices across the real estate market have 

continued to increase quarter on quarter, year 

on year.” 

He points out that off the back of Covid-19, 

where government assistance and financial aid 

were thrust into the economy, we now, like the 

rest of the world, find ourselves in an ‘over-inflated’ 

state. “With interest rates now elevating, 

as expected, to offset inflation, I sense, like 

many, next year will be a year of further pricing 

correction and calibration.” 

Simon has identified a maturity amongst 

sellers currently looking to sell (and leading 

into 2023) – they understand 2021 prices are 

no longer likely and therefore expect values to 

come back somewhat from where they have 

been. 

He believes interest rates will have the largest 

bearing on buyer confidence – affordability 

is now a significant factor, with capital gains 

no longer as prevalent. 

“There will be an increase in stock levels 

in 2023 as more homeowners come off fixedterm 

rates and affordability becomes a factor; 

For some, selling may be their only option. 

“Average days to sale are extending, so we 

have existing stock and new stock all congesting 

the market at once. 

“A softening of property prices is expected. 

“On the other hand, buyers who have strong 

equity and are cash-ready will be in a strong 

position to negotiate, and choice in the market 

will be plentiful”, he predicts 

Property Brokers 2023 outlook 

Property Brokers has grown rapidly from 

humble provincial beginnings to now be New 

Zealand’s largest, fastest-growing regional real 

estate brand. 

They list and sell more provincial property, 

be it residential, rural, lifestyle, commercial or 

industrial, than any other brand across heartland 

New Zealand and look after the largest 

provincial Property Management rent roll. 

“Our growth has never been about strategy. 

Rather it has been about a philosophy: “If it 

feels right and the people who join us share 

common business values, then we will make it 

happen.” 

SIMON SHORT, 

Regional Manager, 

Property Brokers 

Our growth has never 

been about strategy. 

Rather it has been about a 

philosophy: “If it feels right and 

the people who join us share 

common business values, then 

we will make it happen.” 

The business is in a strong position to continue 

expanding when and if the opportunity 

presents itself. 

“We are receiving frequent requests from 

real estate business owners and independent 

agents who identify with our family-focused, 

well-resourced business model. “We are an 

ambitious and uniquely Kiwi business, with 

more than 900 people from the top of the North 

Island to the bottom of the South. We connect 

heartland New Zealanders to one another simply 

by being in more than 90 locations. 

Anticipated Bay of Plenty trends in 2023 

Property Brokers now has offices across the 

Bay of Plenty in Whakatane, Rotorua, Te Puke, 

Papamoa, Tauranga, Tauriko, and Te Puna. 

The company has established seven offices 

across the Bay of Plenty region in the last 

three-and-a-half years. Growth in all facets of 

business is strong. 

“We have great people who care about adding 

as much value as possible for our clients. 

“We are all part of the local community – 

schooling, sports clubs, charities and fundraising 

organisations – you name it, we’re into it. 

We do what we can when we can to give back 

and provide support. 

“Our number one objective is giving all Bay 

of Plenty property owners the best service we 

have to offer.” 

Simon believes there is a real awareness 

of Property Brokers across the Bay of Plenty 

now. 

“We envisage that will continue as more 

people come to appreciate the strength we offer 

right across the nation. 

“Because we are not franchised, our emphasis 

is always on connection and adding as much 

value as possible to benefit those around us. 

Reflecting on 2022 

“It’s certainly been a year of continued growth 

for us. We are proud of what the team has 

achieved in 2022”. 

Staff numbers have grown dramatically, and 

Simon envisages that will continue in 2023. 

“More agents are connecting with our business 

– they are impressed by the level of support 

and resource we offer our team,” he says. 

Each Property Brokers agent, administrator, 

personal assistant, property manager, tradesperson, 

manager, or cadet – anyone affiliated 

with the Property Brokers Group – is adding 

value to their community daily. 

“It’s been hugely rewarding for me, and the 

team around me, to see that what we are doing 

really matters. 

“We are always looking ahead and asking 

what more we can do to continue the Property 

Brokers success story.” 

REINZ


SOFTWARE 

Taking stock of Aotearoa’s 

small business economy 

Small businesses in the Bay of Plenty 

and across Aotearoa have had a difficult 

year in 2022, forced to grapple with the 

impact of economic unrest, inflation and falling 

consumer confidence. 

And while the last few months have seen 

small business sales continue to grow, the 

pressure felt by Kiwi households nationwide is 

likely to continue impacting bottoms lines for 

the foreseeable future. 

Embracing digital tools 

There has been a silver lining to these turbulent 

times. The last few years have seen small businesses 

embrace digital tools to remain operational 

and viable during the pandemic and subsequent 

lockdowns. The use of these tools have 

continued long after the last lockdown. 

As we look towards the future, we want to 

continue empowering small business owners 

to digitise to unlock further productivity gains. 

After all, we know a 20 percent increase in 

the uptake of cloud computing could increase 

New Zealand’s GDP by between $3.5 billion 

and $6.2 billion through labour savings, productivity 

improvements and increased wages 

and standards of living. 

We have to find ways to help SMEs overcome 

barriers by incentivising technology 

uptake to unlock productivity and pass on benefits 

like higher wages, increased spending, 

and more free time. 

BRIDGET SNELLING, Country Manager for Xero New Zealand 

Ultimately, it’s about working smarter, not 

harder – using technology to automate and 

ensuring every hour spent working is doing 

something only a human can do, especially 

considering the ongoing labour shortage. 

It’s not just about meeting the needs of now. 

Kiwi small businesses need to digitise to thrive 

and keep up with a rapidly developing global 

market with Open Banking and e-invoicing. 

Improving cashflow 

Alongside continued small business digitisation, 

2023 needs to be the year we tackle our 

systemic cashflow problems. 

Getting paid on time is crucial for small 

business operations. We know late payments 

cost the NZ small business economy $456 

million per year in additional time and lost 

opportunities. 

And unlike large businesses, Kiwi small 

businesses often don’t have the capital available 

to manage the time difference between 

paying the required expenditure to complete a 

job, and receiving payment when it’s done. 

When a business isn’t paid, it compromises 

their cash flow. They often can’t afford to pay 

their own suppliers and company debt, which 

creates this ripple effect through the supply 

chain. 

The Government recently announced plans 

to develop legislation forcing large companies 

to disclose their payment times, something 

to help encourage prompter invoice 

repayments. 

We are thrilled with this announcement, but 

it doesn’t come into effect until 2024. Xero 

implores all big businesses and other organisations 

to make a commitment to improving their 

repayment times as soon as possible, we know 

our small business community needs this right 

now. 

Positive cashflow has a significant impact 

on small businesses, improving confidence 

to put them in better positions to plan for the 

future, focus on staff wellbeing, and take calculated 

risks to grow their businesses.


TAXATION 

Taxing times – what you need to know 

As we gear up for the festive season, with well deserved work and 

social functions on the agenda, you can probably expect tax to 

feature in the chatter beside the BBQ or the bar. 

This year it seems like there has hardly 

been a week go by without tax being 

fairly prominent in the media, and with 

an election coming up next year we should 

expect this to intensify. 

There have been many polarising issues 

in our community over the last year, and tax, 

as the way we fund the Government’s priorities, 

touches in some way on many of these. 

If we want to train and employ more teachers 

and nurses, if we want to take action on climate 

issues, and deal with the cost of living and 

housing affordability crises as we recover from 

the economic effects of Covid-19, whether we 

like it or not tax has a role to play in providing 

funding or incentivising behaviour. 

We are starting to see the tax policies of the 

various political parties be announced in the 

lead up to next year’s election. Depending on 

who ends up holding the power next year we 

could see measures ranging from the reversal 

of the 39% tax rate, the full or partial removal 

of the brightline and interest limitation rules, 

and indexing of the personal tax thresholds 

period for residential property sales through an 

excess profits tax and capital gains tax. 

Themes from the past year 

There have been some key overriding themes 

that are apparent in the policy and operational 

ANDREA SCATCHARD 

Tax Partner, Deloitte 

Deloitte played a big 

part in highlighting 

the tax issues around the 

bank of Mum and Dad 

which led to a more sensible 

application of the brightline 

rules.” 

developments in the past year. 

At a micro level, there has been a lot of 

scrutiny by Inland Revenue on where to draw 

the line between private and business expenditure. 

Some of the decisions in this area have 

some possibly unexpected outcomes and may 

significantly affect self-employed business 

owners in particular, as well as employers 

looking to pay for travel, accommodation and 

meal costs for employees. 

Inland Revenue is becoming increasingly 

sophisticated in analysing the large volume of 

data that it collects from third party sources 

and in using this to ensure we are all paying the 

taxes we should. While you can’t really argue 

with this approach from a tax integrity perspective, 

the collection of the data can impose a significant 

compliance cost on the third parties. 

The proposed digital platform reporting rules 

are an example of this, as are the new trust 

reporting requirements that we have to comply 

with this year. 

The global recognition of the climate crisis 

has highlighted the need for all countries 

to act now to speed up emissions reductions. 

The New Zealand government has a number of 

existing or planned measures to help us reach 

these targets, but could tax settings be used to 

do more? 

The clean car discount programme may not 

be the best tool to encourage corporates looking 

to speed up the change to non-ICE fleets. 

The Government has to date shied away from 

providing meaningful tax incentives to encourage 

this behaviour – but things like enhanced 

depreciation deductions, or the removal or 

reduction of FBT on non-ICE vehicles would 

go a long way to making real change happen. 

The Government has shown a willingness to 

use tax as a lever to make change in other areas 

so why not here? 

What has Deloitte been doing? 

We have been very busy behind the scenes, and 

sometimes front and centre, in reviewing tax 

changes (from legislative proposals to Inland 

Revenue operational statements, and anything 

in between) to make sure that taxpayers 

are getting the best possible outcome in the 

circumstances. 

While we don’t always agree with the 

changes, we always go to bat for our clients 

and the business community to try and ensure 

changes are made in a fair and reasonable way 

with the least possible compliance costs. 

Sometimes though we can help effect directional 

change with tax proposals. The recent 

plan to impose GST on Kiwisaver fund management 

fees was an example of this – the 

public outcry following this change being 

announced and the resulting media frenzy 

led to a fast reversal of the plan. Deloitte also 

played a big part in highlighting the tax issues 

around the bank of Mum and Dad which led 

to a more sensible application of the brightline 

rules. 

We are always happy to chat about how current 

or proposed tax rules affect your business 

so feel free to get in touch. 

Trusted 

Transformation 

Together 

Tax rules are complex and constantly changing. 

Our team of tax specialists can help you navigate 

the tax space working side-by-side to connect 

you to expertise, capabilities, technologies and 

innovative ideas to help you lead your business 

through complexity with confidence. 

www.deloitte.com/nz/tax


WINSTONE WALLBOARDS UPDATE 

Community approach key 

Winstone Wallboards, makers of GIB ® plasterboard will open their 

new state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution centre in 

Tauriko in mid-2023. Project Lead Stewart Vaughan talks about the 

project and what it means for the region. 

The project team are mere months away 

from completing Australasia’s largest 

plasterboard manufacturing and distribution 

facility right here in Tauranga, a development 

that’s been several years in the making 

and on a scale never seen in New Zealand 

before. 

STEWART VAUGHAN 

Project Lead 

With over 67,000sqm of buildings, which 

is more than seven rugby fields, spread across 

12.8 hectares of land – the new facility will 

have 50% more capacity than our current Auckland 

site with room for further expansion. 

It’s much more than purely putting up bricks 

and mortar though, one of the most gratifying 

parts of leading the project is seeing the benefits 

the new facility will bring to the region; 

new job opportunities, partnerships with local 

organisations as well as supporting career 

development for so many talented, enthusiastic, 

and hard-working people we’ve met from the 

Bay of Plenty. 

We’re still recruiting for roles now, from 

electricians through to team leaders, so we 

encourage anyone interested in joining Winstone 

Wallboards to put their name forward, 

even if they don’t have the qualifications 

needed. The team are big on supporting people 

to get where they want to be. 

There have been a few challenges along the 

way; the initial proposed site spanned across 

two district councils which would have posed 

a number of consenting complexities. Fortunately, 

the developer of Tauriko Business Park 

was able to reconfigure parts of their subdivision 

including shifting a roundabout, a road 

closer and relocating the Tauranga gas line to 

accommodate the entire Winstone Wallboards 

site within the Tauranga City Council boundary. 

I must pay tribute to Bryce Donne from 

Element IMF, Nigel Tutt from Priority One, the 

Tauranga City Council and the Bay of Plenty 

Regional Council who have all been instrumental 

in supporting us with our project. 

A big focus of the project has been setting up 

our manufacturing and distribution to have the 

capacity to support us for many years to come, 

as well as having sustainability integrated 

throughout the buildings. One example is the 

installation of a waste recycling facility that 

enables GIB ® plasterboard to include recycled 

gypsum. 

One part of the project I’m particularly proud 

of has been developing community partnerships 

and relationships, working alongside councils, 

Iwi and hapū we’ve really been able to see the 

impact this project will have on the region. 

Early on, we began engagement with mana 

whenua which has been a really rewarding 

experience and at our first meeting we stood 

together with mana whenua representatives on 

a hill right in the middle of where the site is now 

and expressed our genuine desire to come into 

Winstone Wallboards facility at Tauriko Business Estate. 

the community and have a positive impact, not 

just in terms of recruitment but wider support 

as well. 

Since then, the team has worked hand-inhand 

with hapū. A dawn blessing with representatives 

from Ngai Tamarawaho and Ngati 

Hangarau took place early in the development 

and nearby Taumata School is Kaitiaki (guardian) 

of the soil. 

We’re continuing to find more opportunities 

to work with the community, to maximise 

employment opportunities for local iwi. 

We’ve built relationships around trust and 

followed through with the things we said we’d 

do, taking community feedback seriously, 

respecting the environment and working hard 

to minimise our environmental footprint. 

All the passionate people we’ve worked 

with have come to understand that we’re more 

than just a manufacturing and distribution business 

– we’re looking forward to having a positive 

impact in this community.


Celebrate the festive 

season at Baypark! 

The festive season is here and the calendar is jam-packed with events. From Battle of the 

Trades charity fight night to explosive speedway action, there is something for everyone. 

A mouth-watering line-up of festivals featuring international and local acts will be 

followed by contentious UK comedian Jimmy Carr performing his brand-new 

material. A big thank you from all the teams at Baypark for the great 

community support to the variety of events we have on offer. We wish 

you a happy and safe festive season! 

Battle of the Trades IV 

10 December 2022 

Bay Box fit brings you the Bay’s biggest 

charity boxing fight night, showcasing 

professional and corporate 

bouts. Base Up Battle of the Trades 

is a popular boxing event in which 

tradespeople compete against each 

other in three “two-minute” rounds. 

It’s an action-packed entertaining 

night out. Secure your spot today, and 

dress to impress on December 10th, 

as this is a black-tie event! https:// 

embed.ticketbooth.co.nz/event/bat- 

tle-of-the-trades-ii2odkohsqdv7cu- 

5moCC6IZ 

North Island Sprintcar 

Championships 


Come on down to Baypark Speedway 

for the CB Caravan’s and RV Centre 

North Island Sprint car Championship 

at Mount Maunganui’s fiercest 

battleground. 

Featuring the North Island Sprint 

car Championship, Super-Saloons, 

Superstocks, and Youth Ministocks. 

Gates open at 4:30pm, The Fan Zone 

is open from 4:30pm to 5:15pm and 

the green flag drops at 6pm. https:// 

bayparkspeedway.flicket.co.nz/ 

Bay International Superstars 40 


The best midget car drivers in the 

world will race against the best in 

New Zealand at Baypark Speedway 

before the New Year. 

The international midget series has 

proven to be the most popular meeting 

in Auckland for many years, and 

for one night only fans from the Bay 

of Plenty will now get front-row seats 

to the biggest show on clay. 

The night will end in a 40 Lap 

feature race where only one can 

stand above the rest, as the best in the 

world. 

Famous Last Words New Year’s 

Eve Festival 


Famous Last Words takes over Mount 

Maunganui this NYE! Finally, a boutique, 

quality festival will call this NZ 

hotspot home. No more waiting hours 

to get into the bars down main street. 

Just as the countdown begins, you 

realise you haven’t made your New 

Year’s resolutions yet. You go with 

the obvious… a gym membership! 

Soon after you find yourself at Plane 

Sailing front row, zero bulking, but 

no sulking. You’ve made the right 

choice. Those were just Famous Last 

Words. https://trademark.flicket. 

co.nz/events/1e04fcce-d14b-4339- 

9f97-8a30cdb8f45c 

Bay Dreams Festival 

3 January 2023 

Festival favourite ‘Bay Dreams’ is 

back with a fresh look and a new 

purpose. A monster-sized line-up 

of international and local superstars 

has been announced for Bay Dreams 

2023, happening at Trustpower Baypark 

on 3rd January. Returning to 

summer hotspot Mount Maunganui, 

Bay Dreams 2023 features a diverse 

line-up of long awaited international 

and local talent. 

Headlined by ten-time Grammy 

nominated production powerhouse 

Diplo, alongside such global heavyweights 

as US rap giants Denzel 

Curry (touring new album Melt My 

Eyez See Your Future), Yung Lean 

and Freddie Gibbs, British drum & 

bass figureheads Hybrid Minds bringing 

their Outline show down under 

with singer Charlotte Haining, Australian 

drill crew OneFour, English 

electronic pop songwriter SG Lewis, 

UK dubstep producer Flux Pavilion 

and a whole lot more. Set to be one 

of the highlight festivals of the summer, 

Bay Dreams is a must-do for all 

music lovers. www.baydreams.co.nz 

UB 40 

Jefferson 

Starship & 

Dragon 

4 January 

2023 

Held at the height 

of summer, UB40 

with special guests Jefferson 

Starship and Dragon 

promises to put on a show like 

no other. With back-to-back hits; the 

perfect concert settings and summer 

in full swing; this is an event not to 

be missed. Achieving over 40 top 

40 hits in their native Britain, and 

international sales over 100 million 

records, UB40 are one of the biggest 

UK music acts of all time. Today 

Jefferson Starship remains dedicated 

to breathing new life into the living 

catalogue of the Jeffersonian legacy. 

Meanwhile, representing homegrown 

talent is the one and only Dragon who 

remain one of New Zealand’s most 

popular live acts. www.trademark. 

flicket.co.nz/events/ 

Juicy Fest 


Don’t miss out on NZ’s biggest R&B 

Hip Hop Festival Juicy Fest 2023! 

This line-up includes some of the biggest 

R&B and hip-hop stars from the 

1990s and 2000s, including headliners 

Nelly, Ne-Yo and Ja Rule. Other 

acts include Mya, Chingy, Lloyd, 

Bow Wow, Xzibit, Pretty Ricky and 

Twista. Juicy Festival, or Juicy Fest 

as it’s colloquially named, is a R18 

one-day festival scheduled for eight 

shows across Australia and New Zealand 

this summer. For more info and 

tickets head to www.juicyfest.co or 

follow us on Instagram. 

Scrapman Demo Der-Bay 


The Demolition Derby meeting has 

always proved to be a fan favourite 

and this season Baypark Speedway 

brings you all the smash and crash 

right in the heart of summer! This will 

be very popular with kids and families 

enjoying the school holidays so it 

would be best to get your tickets and 

seats early. 

NZ Saloon Car Championship & 

F2 Bay of Twenty Title 

13 & 14 January 2023 

To be the best, you need to beat the 

best, the ultimate race to win is any 

Speedway New Zealand Championship. 

For two nights back-to-back 

Baypark Speedway will host the running 

of the SNZ Saloon Car Championship 

with drivers entering from 

all over NZ to win the ultimate prize 

and take home the winner’s part of the 

10,000-prize pool. 

The F2 Midgets will also run 

along the championship with the 

first running of the Bay of Twenty 

title for their class. This promises to 

be another huge week of Speedway 

action not to be missed by any motorsport 

fan in the Bay of Plenty. 

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny – NZ 

Tour 


Contentious comedian Jimmy Carr is 

returning to New Zealand with brand 

new material for 2023 with his Terribly 

Funny tour. 

The British comedian is known for 

his humour that verges on the 

side of awkward and inappropriate. 

Jimmy will be telling 

jokes to an adult paying audience 

who’ve got a good idea 

what’s in store. And there’s no 

point to the show, save for to make 

the audience laugh. 

Having political correctness at a 

comedy show is like having health 

and safety at a rodeo. Now you’ve 

been warned, enjoy the laughs. 

Jimmy Carr has been a comedian for 

over a decade and a half. He’s performed 

10 sell-out tours, playing over 

2,500 shows to more than 2.5 million 

people. He’s won the British Comedy 

Award for Best Live Stand-Up Tour 

and been nominated for the Perrier 

Award. 

His most recent stand-up comedy 

special was the most streamed on 

Netflix in the UK in 2021. The Terribly 

Funny tour kicked off in May 

2019 and will visit every corner of the 

UK and Ireland before heading off to 

Australia and New Zealand. www. 

premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/ 

Stadium Corporate Boxes 

Enjoy Stadium events in comfort 

from our corporate Boxes. There are 

still several excellent boxes available 

for either an annual lease or casual 

bookings during the summer season. 

Quality hospitality is served to 

your box with an exclusive balcony 

and relaxed environment to entertain 

your guests. For more information 


Tauranga’s Premier Venue 

Trustpower Baypark is Tauranga’s 

Premier Venue for conferences, meetings, 

entertainment, and exhibitions. 

Offering a complete package in one 

convenient location that features state 

of the art meeting rooms, in-house 

catering, audio visual services, marketing/promotional 

services. 

For more information on any events, enquiries for Trustpower Baypark venues, BayStation activities or service on/off site from BayCatering, BayAudioVisual 

visit www.trustpowerbaypark.co.nz or email events@bayvenues.co.nz.


Tauranga carbon capture researcher 

awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowship 

The goal of understanding the deep history of carbon cycling on Earth 

and how – and if – we can make that work for us in the fight against 

climate change has secured University of Waikato researcher Dr Terry 

Isson a prestigious Rutherford Discovery Fellowship. 

Terry’s research to date looks to piece 

together a picture of climate regulation on 

Earth over its multi-billion-year history, 

by investigating intricate processes within the 

global carbon cycle. This involves examination 

of changes to Earth’s climate state across both 

broad time scales and also during more specific 

climatic and mass extinction events. 

The Rutherford Fellowship means this 

research on the role that silicate minerals play 

in regulating the natural carbon cycle, can grow. 

Foremost, Terry aims to reconstruct the 

multi-billion years of history of what natural carbon 

capture and release looks like. 

“The fellowship will allow me to investigate 

further how the Earth’s coupled carbon-silicon 

cycle works – how effective it is, how it responds 

to climate change and what role biology plays in 

returning carbon back to the atmosphere,” 

One other aspect of Terry’s research looks 

at how silicate minerals can help absorb carbon 

directly from the atmosphere. A partnership with 

Tauranga iwi Ngāti Pūkenga has been looking at 

how dunite can be used on farmland to capture 

carbon and reduce emissions. 

Dr Terry Isson 

“I’ll be able to look at harnessing other natural 

processes for large scale carbon capture as 

well as scale up my research into rock weathering,” 

Terry says. 

Terry’s two-pronged approach will understand 

and unpack the potential of silicate minerals 

to help tip Earth’s climate back into balance. 

The weathering of silicate minerals, like olivine, 

University of Waikato researcher Dr Terry Isson 

doing field work on a recent trip to Svalbard. 

draws carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere 

while silicate mineral formation re-releases that 

carbon back into the air. 

“It is time for us to radically reimagine the 

way we live life on this planet,” Terry says. 

“By coupling field studies with new geochemical 

models and machine learning techniques, 

we can better understand how silicate 

minerals naturally regulate our climate, and then 

see what we can do to enhance that process to 

tackle climate change. 

“This project will test the idea that we might 

be able to harness the power of silicate minerals 

to curb the escalating planetary fever and potentially 

take us one step closer to achieving carbon 

neutrality.” 

Print company Kale Print purchases Whitianga-based Endeavour Print 

Bay of Plenty print company Kale Print has 

purchased Whitianga-based Endeavour 

Print. 

Kevin Coughey, former owner of Endeavour 

Print, says, “Endeavour Print and Kale Print are 

iconic family businesses. Merging the technologies 

and talent of both teams will result in more 

products and services for our clients. 

Kale Print has an outstanding reputation 

in the print industry, the highest level of professionalism 

and of course a passion for print. 

Endeavour Print has been a leading print provider 

for clients both local and across the region 

for more than 13 years, providing high quality 

digital printing. 

“It has been an absolute privilege to be part 

of and contribute to the vibrant Coromandel 

community over the years. Now it is the right 

time for a change for me personally, and I am 

very excited to see what the future holds. “Kale 

Print’s values align directly with Endeavour 

Print. Coupled with our long-standing working 

relationship, made Kale Print the perfect fit to 

best support our customers into the future.” 

The company’s point out that it will be business 

as usual for Endeavour Print customers. 

Peter Lloyd, general manager of Kale Print, 

says, “We are thrilled to be able to continue 

serving Endeavour’s customers locally and 

through the region.” 

This deal follows Kale Print’s acquisition of 

Advocate Print last November. 

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 

A business partner that understands your views and goals 

Contact the Bayleys Tauranga Commercial Property Management team today. 

Bayleys Tauranga 

Commercial Property Management 

07 579 0609 

jan.cooney@bayleystauranga.co.nz 

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

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Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services


New Tauranga 

scholarships 

look to the future 

The Aporo II and COR on display at Interpoma. 

Robotic match 

made in heaven 

The pairing of two cutting edge robotic 

technologies is set to slash labour requirements 

in post-harvest facilities across the 

globe, and the happy couple debuted in Bolzano, 

Italy on 17 November. Global Pac Technologies 

displayed a working demonstration 

of the Aporo II robotic apple packer and just 

released Carton Optimization Robot (COR) at 

the world leading apple trade event, Interpoma. 

The Aporo produce packer, designed and 

manufactured in New Zealand by Robotics Plus, 

was launched back in 2018 with the mission of 

reducing the labour required to place fruit into 

trays. 

This then focused the customers attention on 

their next challenge – getting the full trays into 

cartons. US head-quartered Van Doren Sales Inc 

took up the challenge and after several iterations, 

the COR was heavily tested in both hemispheres, 

and is now ready to launch. 

While Aporo and COR are modular pieces 

of equipment, both have been designed to integrate 

up and downstream in the packhouse. Integrated 

together, they remove the need for labour 

to place fruit in trays and get trays into cartons. 

“This means that pack house operators can 

redeploy their labour to value adding activities, 

rather than the repetitive or mundane ones,” 

says Cameron McInness, director of Global Pac 

Technologies who distribute both robots globally. 

Coupled together, the two technologies can 

pack a minimum of one carton per minute per 

belt, or two cartons per double belt, without any 

manual labour. 

“Our business is customer led. We listen to 

their pain points, and we look for solutions,” 

adds Cameron. “Depending on the nature of the 

produce and the packhouse configuration, the 

combination of these two technologies can see a 

reduction of up to six employees per double belt 

which is a huge win for the customer.” 

The post-harvest industry has been grappling 

with labour challenges globally. Whether it be 

rising costs or access to labour, the potential 

negative outcome is the same – a risk that a crop 

cannot be packed and shipped. 

A new scholarship for first year engineering and environmental 

science students in Tauranga aims to create new connections 

between students and industry in the Bay. 

The Tauranga Moana Futures scholarships 

are funded by Tauranga City Council and 

focus on areas of study that employers 

are hungry for and will have a real, practical 

impact on the city. 

“The University of Waikato’s Work Integrated 

Learning is key to the effectiveness and 

practical application of study,” says Senior 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister 

Jones. 

“We offer a unique connection to local 

stakeholders and our engagement with industry 

means we’re teaching and turning out students 

who are ready and able to hit the ground 

running the minute they graduate.” 

The two scholarships both come with guaranteed 

paid summer internships or summer 

research scholarships within the chosen area 

of study. 

Tauranga City Council Commissioner Stephen 

Selwood says the council’s investment 

in the future of the region’s workforce is a 

“no-brainer”. 

“This city and region will undergo significant 

change over the next decade. We are crying 

out for engineers and environmental scientists 

– and people who know the landscape, 

are familiar with the structures of our industry 

and can contribute right from their first year 

of study are going to be invaluable,” he says. 

“Tauranga is fast becoming a tertiary destination, 

and we’re excited about the life and 

energy that students bring to the city. We’re 

pleased to be backing the future of Tauranga 

Moana with these scholarships and look forward 

to more similar local government and 

industry partnerships in the future.” 

Professor Jones says the new scholarships 

are part of a larger aim to position the Bay of 

Plenty as a hub for the skills and capabilities 

industry will be looking for in the future. 

“Studying at Waikato University is like 

nowhere else – our ability to collaborate and 

bring disciplines together is unique. We’re 

proud to be bringing that to the Bay next year 

and look forward to growing and developing 

our offerings to students, industry and council 

in the future.” 

Tauranga 

Moana Futures 

Scholarships 

VALUE: Up to $40,000 over 

the course of a student’s 

undergraduate degree 

STUDY LEVEL: Entrance/School 

Leaver, Undergraduate 

SUBJECT AREA: Engineering, 

Science 

CLOSING DATE: 10 December 2022 

2023 

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Scientists explore biogas potential 

of partly digested grass from cows 

Converting partly digested 

grass from the stomachs 

of slaughtered cattle into 

biogas that could be 

used to sustainably heat 

commercial greenhouses 

is the focus of a new 

14-month study at Scion. 

It’s hoped the partly digested grass 

can one day be blended with food 

waste to develop a powerful new 

recipe to enhance bioenergy production 

for industry – making it less reliant 

on fossil fuels, saving money and 

benefiting the environment. 

Senior scientist and project 

leader Dr Suren Wijeyekoon says 

it is well known that cows produce 

a lot of methane gas when 

they belch after grass is digested 

by enzymes in their stomachs. 

Taking the same grass, known 

as ‘paunch grass’, from slaughtered 

animal stomachs and using 

it to produce methane-rich biogas 

is a research opportunity worth 

exploring for future bioenergy 

production replacing natural gas, 

he adds. 

“Each cow has about 10-15kg 

of partly digested grass in their 

first stomach when they arrive in 

an abattoir; that grass normally is 

disposed of by meat processing 

companies, which comes at a cost. 

Our research is looking at the 

potential to use that waste product 

to produce biogas at scale, 

taking it from a small batch to a 

large pilot study. If successful, it’s 

research that can be commercially 

adopted by Ecogas.” 

The research involving Ecogas, 

AgResearch and the Bioresource 

Processing Alliance (BPA) builds 

on 2017- 2018 Scion, Plant and 

Food Research and BPA research 

that piloted and de-risked the 

technology being used in New 

Zealand’s first large-scale food 

waste-to-bioenergy facility at 

Reporoa. Scion provided bioenergy 

expertise to the facility’s 

early planning and development. 

Once up and running by January 

2023, the $30 million stateof-the-art 

facility will turn 75,000 

Scion scientist Dr Suren Wijeyekoon. 

tonnes of organic waste from 

businesses and kerbside food 

scrap collections throughout the 

North Island into sustainable and 

renewable clean energy. Owned 

and operated by Ecogas, the 

new anaerobic digestion plant 

sits on 2 hectares of farmland. 

After commissioning, food waste 

will be converted into biogas, 

which can be used to heat nearby 

greenhouses, with carbon dioxide 

pumped in to enhance plant 

growth. Biofertiliser produced 

at the site can also be applied 

onto more than 1500 hectares of 

productive farmland, replacing 

imported and manufactured synthetic 

fertilisers. 

Dr Wijeyekoon says the paunch 

grass biogas study started in July 

and will be carried out at three different 

scales. It will evaluate how 

much gas can be produced from 

paunch, and how scientists can 

enhance that production through 

various grass ‘pre-treatment’ 

methods. Successful methods will 

be scaled up from batch to continuous 

pilot scale. 

Silver Fern Farms provides the 

fresh paunch grass for the study. 

Scion scientists are then deploying 

Scion’s new ‘biomethane 

potential test kit’ to assess the biogas 

production, which is made up 

of about 60 percent methane, and 

40 percent carbon dioxide. 

Testing will be complete in 

October 2023. If successful, it’s 

hoped the project will be commercially 

adopted. 

Dr Wijeyekoon says a longterm 

goal is to blend the paunch 

grass with food waste to maximise 

biogas generation. 

“Grass is made up of mostly 

cellulose and is metabolised 

slowly. Food waste is fast digesting; 

together you will improve the 

digestion of grass.” 

“Ideally, you need the right 

cocktail to get the bugs working 

optimally – that’s the end game.” 

The $385,000 study has been 

jointly funded by Ecogas and 

the Bioresource Processing Alliance 

which works with New 

Zealand’s primary sector and science 

partners, including Scion, to 

get better value out of biological 

by-products. 

AgResearch is also involved 

in the study by exploring the 

potential of ‘paunch liquor’ to be 

used as a pet food ingredient. The 

liquor is considered a valuable 

source of proteins, minerals and 

vitamins for cats and dogs. 

In another part of the project, 

Scion scientists will also test the 

digestate, the material left over 

after the paunch grass is digested 

in the bioreactors, for its potential 

as a biofertiliser. The team and 

Ecogas will partner with a company 

to carry out field trials to 

assess pasture growth after digestate 

is applied. 

Dr Wijeyekoon says the study 

is a great example of Scion’s 

research exploring the benefits of 

a circular bioeconomy. 

“There are waste management 

costs for the disposal of paunch 

grass currently. Using that one 

feedstock or waste stream, we can 

explore a number of new opportunities: 

bioenergy production, 

bioCO2 for photosynthesis in 

greenhouses, digestate for biofertiliser 

and pet food ingredient 

production.” 

The benefits to the environment 

and industry are wide ranging. 

As well as reducing costs 

and climate change emissions 

from meat processing companies 

by diverting waste from landfill 

or composting, the biogas produced 

could also satisfy the heat 

demands of abattoirs in the future, 

he adds. 

Ecogas General Manager Alzbeta 

Bouskova says the company 

is excited to partner with Scion in 

the study and explore the potential 

of paunch grass as a new clean 

energy feedstock and, in the process, 

assist the meat industry with 

transition to sustainable and circular 

principles. 

“Ecogas is pleased with the 

opportunity to continue to build 

commercially desired technical 

knowledge,” Bouskova says. 

SHANNON TE AO EXHIBITION TŌKU ORA, TŌKU ARA OPENING AT 

TAURANGA ART GALLERY 

Tauranga Art Gallery was delighted 

to announce the opening of Tōku ora, 

tōku ara, an exhibition by renowned 

Te Whanganui-a-Tara based artist 

Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) 

in October. Spanning moving image, 

photography and performance, Te Ao 

creates work that responds to Māori 

paradigms, testing the implications 

of alternative creative, social and 

linguistic models in relation to the 

moving image and other performative 

practices. 

Te Ao is creating a major new photographic 

commission for Tauranga 

Art Gallery’s atrium which departs 

from his predominantly black and 

white palette, translating these concerns 

into monumental full colour. 

Spread across two spaces, the 

exhibition also includes Te Ao’s 

notable 2020 moving image work Ka 

Mua, Ka Muri, which was originally 

co-commissioned by Remai Modern 

and Oakville Galleries, Canada. 

The title of the work is derived 

from a whakatauki (proverb) often 

cited as a guiding principle within 

Māori ideology. 

Meaning “to walk backwards 

into the future,” it suggests that time 

exists on a continuum where past, 

present and future co-exist and are 

tied together through ancestry and 

action. 

Tauranga Art Gallery Director 

Stephen Cleland says: “Te Ao’s practice 

occupies a fascinating intersection 

of moving image, photography, 

language, and sound. His new exhibition, 

devised especially for Tauranga 

Art Gallery, ups the ante for his 

investment in photography, through 

the production of large-scale prints 

which more than before approximate 

the scale and ambition of his 

renowned video installations. We’re 

thrilled to be enabling the artist to 

achieve a new scale in his practice for 

Tauranga audiences.” 

Shannon Te Ao is an artist, writer 

and curator whose current research 

interests include performance and 

video art practices. His work has 

been presented at several important 

exhibitions globally, including 

The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of 

Contemporary Art (APT10), QAG- 

OMA, Brisbane (2021-22); The 13th 

Gwangju Biennale – Minds Rising 

Spirits Turning (2021); With the sun 

aglow, I have my pensive moods, The 

Edinburgh Art Festival (2017); The 

11th Gwangju Biennale: The Eighth 

Climate (What Does Art Do?) (2016); 

and The 19th Biennale of Sydney: 

Shannon Te Ao 

Ka mua, ka muri, 

2020 

Two-channel video 

with sound 

Duration 5m 30s 

Cinematography: 

Adam Luxton 

Installation view: 

Oakville Galleries, 

Toronto 

Photo: Laura Findlay. 

Image courtesy of 

Oakville Galleries. 

You Imagine What You Desire, 

curated by Juliana Engberg (2014). 

He was the 2016 winner of 

Aotearoa’s prestigious Walters Prize, 

and is currently Senior Lecturer, Whiti 

o Rehua School of Art at Massey University, 

Pōneke Wellington.


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O L I V E R R O A D 

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O L I V E R R O A D E S T A T E A G E N T S L I M I T E D 

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S C A N H E R E

December 2022 - Bay of Plenty Business News

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