Waikato Business News April/May 2023

APRIL/MAY 2023
VOLUME 31
ISSUE 4
READ ONLINE AT
http://www.wbn.co.nz
/WaikatoBusinessNews
The Waikato region’s voice of local business
THE IMPACT OF AI
How will AI impact your business and is it coming for your
job? University of Waikato’s Professor reckons there is
nothing to fear. - PAGE 11
THE BUSINESS OF ART
Pounamu Wharekawa is an emerging artist on the rise
who is making a big impact on Hamilton’s cityscape.
- PAGE 15
PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT
Hamilton’s CBD is looking better every day with landmark
builds attracting businesses and bringing vibrancy
to the city. - PAGE 17
WCL Group delivers over 20 years
of quality painting and plasterboard services
Widely known as the painting and plasterboard professionals,
WCL are highly respected within the construction industry for
providing a quality and professional service across the Waikato.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Everyone’s investment story is different.
We can help you with yours.
Visit us at our new address:
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P: 07 838 1818 | E: hamilton@craigsip.com
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Craigs Investment Partners Limited is a NZX Participant firm. The Craigs Investment Partners Limited Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement can be viewed at
craigsip.com/tcs. Please visit craigsip.com.

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
2 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
CEO skydiving to
support cancer care
in the community
W
ith 72 New
Zealanders being
diagnosed with
cancer every day at a time of
mounting pressure on healthcare
services, it’s an issue that
affects the whole community.
Cancer Society Waikato/Bay
of Plenty CEO, Helen Carter,
says now is the time to turn
the tide and is calling on businesses
to get behind her as she
makes the ultimate jump for
cancer.
“While the thought of
jumping out of a plane makes
me ‘jump out of my skin’ in
terror, it pales in comparison
to the grit, courage and
determination of those I’ve
met with cancer that keep
fighting,” says Helen.
Jump For Cancer is a
fundraiser that raises money
to support Cancer Society
services in the Waikato and
Bay of Plenty.
The Cancer Society is 100%
community funded and relies
on donations from the public
to run its services at no cost to
its clients. These include oneon-one
supportive care from
experienced nurses, regular
support groups, access to wellbeing
grants and counselling,
transport to treatment and
accommodation at the Cancer
Cancer Society CEO Helen Carter
Society’s Lions Lodge close to
Waikato Hospital.
“I can’t understate what
a difference the funds we
raise will mean to our local
community who rely on the
practical support we offer.
“Hearing how much our
work is valued inspires me to
keep fighting for funding and
if that means jumping out of a
plane and hopefully inspiring
others, I’ll do it.”
Helen is urging businesses
in the community to support
her jump and says she would
love to see other CEOs take on
the challenge with her.
Jumps take place in either
Tauranga on Saturday 20
May and Taupō on Saturday
Please make this
jump count by
supporting me and
donating to the
Cancer Society. Or
join me and we can
jump for cancer
together!
27 May and are free for
participants once $1000 has
been fundraised.
To donate or sign up, visit
jumpforcancer.org.nz/
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 Waikato Commercial
Property Management team today.
Jan Cooney
Head Commercial Property Management -
Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki
027 408 9339
jan.cooney@bayleys.co.nz
David Cashmore
Bayleys Commercial Manager - Waikato
021 943 305
david.cashmore@bayleys.co.nz
Gert Maritz
Senior Facilities Manager - Waikato
027 230 2514
gert.maritz@bayleys.co.nz
Darren Rule
Senior Facilities Manager - Bay of Plenty & Taranaki
027 214 1631
darren.rule@bayleys.co.nz
SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
ALTOGETHER BETTER
Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 3
Traffic count estimation made easy
Enhanced software boosts productivity.
Company-X has
enhanced the world’s
first national transport
quality assurance tool to
help improve evidence-based
decision making across the
sector.
The Waikato software
specialist has added a Traffic
Count Estimation (TCE)
module to Transport Insights.
Company-X designed and
developed the TCE module
for use by Waka Kotahi NZ
Transport Agency, city, and
district councils on behalf
of client Te Ringa Maimoa
Transport Excellence
Partnership.
“The Transport Insights
TCE module provides a more
consistent way for councils to
estimate the traffic volumes on
their roads,” said Company-X
business analyst Bryan Miles.
The module is based on the
Traffic Monitoring Estimation
Best Practice Guidelines
published by the Institute
of Public Works Engineers
Australia NZ (IPWEA NZ)
Roading Infrastructure
Management Support (RIMS)
special interest group.
Miles shared details of
These estimates
are extremely
important for
planning what
road work
needs to be
done where and
when.
the module with the sector at
the Roading Infrastructure
Management Support (RIMS)
Forum in Christchurch in
March.
Traffic estimation feeds
into various aspects of roading
network management and
planning. Estimating the
traffic count across a roading
network was challenging.
Road Controlling Authorities
(RCAs) used various manual,
and thus labour intensive,
error prone processes to
estimate traffic counts.
Handling thousands of rows of
data in one spreadsheet means
there is a much higher chance
Insightful - Waipa District Council Asset Information Officer Kim Wright uses Transport Insights.
of putting the wrong value in
a cell or copying the wrong
formula to a cell.
The TCE module removes
manual analysis, resulting in
a more consistent result across
the network.
“If I had to put an amount
of time saved by using the
tool, I would say it was in
the two-to-three-month
realm,” said Waka Kotahi NZ
Transport Agency Road Asset
Information Specialist Simon
Chu.
“Taking the process away
from a manual to a more
automated process means
there’s a much lower chance of
errors.”
Te Ringa Maimoa, formerly
the Road Efficiency Group, is a
joint initiative between Local
Government New Zealand and
Waka Kotahi. It has partnered
with Company-X since 2015.
Waipa District Council
Asset Information Officer -
Transport Kim Wright said:
“Transport Insights helps us
make better asset management
decisions.”
Company-X helps councils
migrate to new data
standard
Company-X is also
working closely with
Waka Kotahi NZ
Transport Agency to help
councils migrate to the new
Asset Management Data
Standard (AMDS).
Without a national data
standard Waka Kotahi and 68
Road Controlling Authorities
including the Department
of Conservation, have an
inconsistent approach to data
capture and definition across
the transport sector.
AMDS enforces a tighter
level of control on data that is
loosely defined. The tightening
of constraints means those
datasets need updating to
comply with the standard,
leading to more consistent use
across the roading sector.
Company-X worked with
the AMDS Programme at
Waka Kotahi to help define
the standard, providing
critical advice ensuring the
standard was implementable
at Waka Kotahi and the
68 RCAs. Company-X was
also intimately involved in
prototype migrations and
resolved many issues which
fed back into changes to the
standard.
Data standards are
documented agreements
on representation, format,
definition, structuring, tagging,
transmission, manipulation,
use, and management of data.
Waka Kotahi consulted
with Company-X’s transport
sector subject matter experts
Jeremy Hughes and Nigel
Lynton as AMDS was defined.
Between 1992 and 2014
Company-X co-founder and
director Hughes worked
with Lynton on the business
analysis, data design and
modelling of Thinkproject’s
Road Assessment and
Maintenance Management
(RAMM) database. Their
combined quarter century of
experience not only gave them
an unparalleled knowledge of
RAMM’s data design but an
essential grasp of the purpose
and goal of that design.
Te Ringa Maimoa Transport
Excellence Partnership also
consulted with Company-X
on how to include minor
structures in the standard.
Company-X also assisted
with the AMDS prototype
migration. The project tested
migration of real-world data to
the standard. It also validated
the ability to implement
the standard across the NZ
roading sector including RCAs,
maintenance contractors
and professional engineering
services.
Hughes’ team at Company-X
developed toolsets to enable
automated rapid migration to
AMDS and testing.
Company-X’s automated
toolsets interrogate the data in
RAMM and, in the migration
process, ensures it has the right
structure and is migrated to the
right location.
“AMDS is starting to have
real impact on how we are
thinking and working,” said
Wellington City Council’s
Pamela Brown.
“We are preparing for
the implementation into our
database and already planning
how it will enable us into digital
engineering.
“AMDS is just in time for
us as we support the data
and information needs of the
large, complex, and ambitious
Let’s Get Wellington Moving
projects. The interest and
support from across the sector
is fantastic as we make the
changes we need for a new way
of working.”

WCL Group delivers over
20 years of quality painting
and plasterboard services
in the Waikato
Proudly family-owned and operated, WCL Group
having been around for over 20 years providing
professional painting services and now plasterboard
service across the Waikato.
idely known as the painting
and plasterboard
professionals, WCL are
highly respected within the construction
industry for providing a quality and
professional service.
They place a big emphasis on family with
two generations currently working in the
company, bringing a range of talents to
the business.
Hamish Wilton a qualified quantity
surveyor, started out in the building
industry at 25 and then took up a role
managing a local painting company.
By 1987 Hamish and wife Janice had set
up a painting business in partnership
with others in the trade, before finally
going it alone in 1999 when they
established Wilton Contracting Limited.
We can now offer
factory coatings
from everything
from doors through
to pre coating
cladding before it
heads to site and
are prepared to
scale this side of
their operation up
to suit demand.
From left to right: Luke Orr, Mike Young, Hamish Wilton & Tim Wilton.
QUALITY PAINTERS & PLASTERBOARD CONTRACTORS
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS IN HAMILTON AND ACROSS WAIKATO
WCL Group Ltd
41 Mckee Street, Pukete, Hamilton

We control such a significant number of key trades,
which has proven to be worthwhile for all our clients
and suppliers.
Always looking for ways to innovate,
WCL have introduced, and continue to
add, products and services that deliver
the best possible service and results to
their loyal clients.
Most recently the team have added WCL
Ceiling Battens to their suite of services
and built a customised spray booth at
their Pukete premises.
WCL Stop the World is the Ceiling
Batten, Plasterboard Supply and
Installation and GIB Stopping side of the
business and general manager and
director Mike Young is excited about the
future for the group. “Being new to the
business is very exciting and we have
already grown and achieved so much,”
he says.
“While Mike is not family, he is as good
as having had known him for some 20
years. He is a very welcome addition to
our group and with his previous
experience from the construction
industry and police he brings a unique
skill set to the table,” Hamish says.
Having a staff of over 100 employees all
based in the Waikato allows WCL the
advantage to offer its full range of
services to their client across the region.
With providing quality work top priority,
WCL introduced the installation of the
ceiling battens to allow better control of
the complete interior envelope of the
project.
Tim Wilton and Luke Orr, joint
managing directors of Wilton
Contracting, have worked hard to
establish the business to operate at scale
and provide high quality work.
Tim, son and nephew Luke have worked
together and are proud to have recently
launched their customised spray booth
WCL Factory Coatings.
The internal spray booth measures
19-metres by six-metres and it’s one of
the biggest in-house booths in New
Zealand and the only one in the Waikato.
“We've invested the money into the right
machinery so we can save time onsite,
save in scaffolding costs and it just
makes the whole job move a lot quicker,”
Tim says.
“We can now offer factory coatings from
everything from doors through to pre
coating cladding before it heads to site
and we are prepared to scale this side of
the operation up to suit demand.”
The painting operation through to paint
touch-ups and maintenance is Tim’s role.
This is something he oversees with the
help of his two supervisors.
Tim is responsible for quality control and
day-to-day supervision of staff and
contractors, and he is always looking to
improve the painting side of the
business.
“WCL Group has a strong focus on the
future to ensure we meet market demands
and we are always looking for new
innovative ways to develop the business,”
Luke says.
WCL believe their model is far more than
just getting the job done, it’s
professionalism, presentation, client
liaison and their unique maintenance
model that sets them apart from the rest.
“We were the first ones to have a
designated touch-up team. We accept it as
part of our costs. We understand what the
builder has to do to get their product across
the line,” Tim says.
Hamish says he is now very content and
excited for the future of WCL Group with
the management structure in place, as he
now begins his retirement journey with
wife Janice, while still remaining involved
and he looks forward to watching the
business grow and develop.
WCL have gone from
strength to strength with
regards to initiative and
volume of work, they are a
well organised operation
and contribute hugely to the
industry,”
testimony from WCL’s plasterboard supplier.
PHONE: 07 849 4818
www.wclgroup.co.nz

QUALITY PAINTERS & PLASTERBOARD CONTRACTORS
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS IN HAMILTON AND ACROSS WAIKATO
WCL Group Ltd
41 Mckee Street, Pukete, Hamilton

Resene has been a long term
partner to Wilton Contracting
and we look forward to
continuing this mutually
rewarding relationship well
into the future.
PHONE: 07 849 4818
www.wclgroup.co.nz

8 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
Attracting international business,
events and leisure travellers
Following another unusual tourism
summer season, Hamilton & Waikato
Tourism (HWT) and our operators are
now in the thick of the ‘trade season’
– when we actively market the Mighty
Waikato to the world.
‘Trade season’ refers to the
time of year when we market
and sell our region, products,
services and new visitor
experiences to the travel trade
– wholesalers, inbound tour
operators, travel agents and
online retailers. The travel
trade plays a significant role in
attracting international visitors
to New Zealand and the
Waikato region by encouraging
travelers to spend more time
exploring what we have to offer.
Following the pandemic,
independent travellers are
still organising and planning
their own trips directly online,
however the travel trade
remains important in reaching
larger numbers of potential
international visitors, particularly
in our long-haul markets
such as Europe, United States,
Canada, China, Japan and
South America, plus our number
one visitor market, Australia.
By establishing relationships
with key operators and
agencies, and engaging a mix of
distribution partners, we help
our region and tourism operators
tap into an effective channel
to market and reach target
consumers.
At the same time, our team
are engaging with the conference,
meetings, events, exhibition
and travel incentive sector,
talking about the benefits of
meeting and doing business in
the Mighty Waikato.
The business event and
convention market is key to
the continued success of our
region. Not only do conference
delegates spend more than the
leisure traveller but evidence
also indicates they are likely to
return for a holiday with family
and friends if they have a favorable
experience while attending
their conference.
The expo will
attract hundreds
of buyers from
across the globe
ranging from
established
markets like
Australia, the
USA, UK as well
as emerging
tourism markets.
Key events that form foundations
for this time of year
include the eXplore trade show
being held in Auckland, TRENZ
(Tourism Rendezvous New
Zealand) in Christchurch and
MEETINGS in Wellington.
The eXplore show is one
of the largest trade events for
NZ-based inbound tour operators,
wholesalers and travel
agents. This year’s event was
the first back since 2019 due
to the pandemic and included
more than 100 tourism businesses
from across the Central
North Island exhibiting their
experiences, accommodation
and tours to over 180 travel
trade representatives.
Joining HWT from the
Mighty Waikato were 11 operators
including Hobbiton Movie
Set, Discover Waitomo, Sanctuary
Mountain Maungatautari,
Riverside Adventures, Hamilton
Gardens, Novotel Tainui
Hamilton, Castaways Resort,
The Red Barn, Cornerstone
Alpaca, Spellbound Waitomo
and Hidden Lake Hotel.
This show is a key activity of
Explore Central North Island
(ECNI) which is a marketing
collective of eight regions
including Hauraki-Coromandel,
Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti-Gisborne,
Hawke’s Bay,
Ruapehu, Great Lake Taupo,
Rotorua, and Hamilton &
Waikato. We work together to
actively promote our regions
and experiences to international
tourism trade – a strong
force which positions the best
of the North Island.
After four years, the most
significant international business-to-business
travel trade
event on New Zealand’s tourism
events calendar, TRENZ, is
returning.
The expo will attract hundreds
of buyers from across the
globe ranging from established
markets like Australia, the USA,
UK as well as emerging tourism
markets. Each exhibitor will
undertake over 50 15-minute
meetings over three days.
Trade ready operators in
attendance alongside HWT
include Hobbiton Movie Set,
Discover Waitomo, Waitomo
Adventures, Roselands Resort,
Hamilton Gardens, and The
Red Barn.
MEETINGS is the only
national tradeshow in New
Zealand for the business events
industry.
Held in June each year, this
two-day event brings together
hundreds of buyers and sellers
of conference and incentive
travel, from across NZ, Australia
and further afield to grow
mutual business events opportunities
and share knowledge
and ideas.
The Mighty Waikato will
be there in force in 2023 with
Claudelands Conference &
Exhibition Centre, Novotel
Tainui Hamilton, Discover
Waitomo, Hamilton Gardens,
Hobbiton Movie Set, Jet Park
TELLING
WAIKATO’S STORY
BY NICOLA GREENWELL
Chief Executive,
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Hotel Hamilton Airport, The
Red Barn and our HWT business
events team all attending.
Feedback from the travel
trade and business events buyers
continues to be positive
about the Mighty Waikato as
they are excited to build or
renew relationships, hear about
the new products and experiences
emerging across our
region. Our region is well positioned
to take advantage of our
growing popularity as a ‘mustvisit’
destination on traveller
itineraries and business events
calendars, and we continue to
work hard to maximise the positive
economic and community
benefits that our visitors bring
to the Waikato.

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 9
Building Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Ensuring the Trustworthiness and Security of Enterprise Applications
Responsible AI
The emergence of AI is revolutionising
the landscape of
business operations, prompting
numerous organisations
to explore the potential of AI
to enhance their efficiency and
gain a competitive edge.
As AI advancements rapidly
evolve, there is an increasing
need for regulations to
ensure the reliability of AI systems
and prevent any harm
they may cause. For instance,
recent news reports indicate
that Samsung workers made a
significant mistake by utilising
ChatGPT which has now been
banned in Italy due to privacy
concerns.
In addition to worrying
about data security, individuals
using AI tools, such as
ChatGPT, frequently ask themselves
whether the answers
provided by AI that appear to
be correct are actually accurate.
As users, it can be challenging
to discern the correctness of
AI-generated answers. In certain
instances, an erroneous
response from AI may result in
significant adverse effects.
Therefore, after being dazzled
by the remarkable capabilities
of AI tools like ChatGPT, it
seems necessary for us to take
a step back and consider how
to build responsible AI. Some
companies, such as Microsoft,
a partner of OpenAI, have proposed
responsible AI principles
to govern the design, building,
and testing of machine learning
models to ensure fairness,
inclusiveness, reliability,
safety, security, transparency,
and accountability. Additionally,
Microsoft has unveiled the
Azure OpenAI service on its
Azure cloud platform.
The Azure OpenAI service,
which provides programmatic
access to OpenAI language
models, is now generally available
and includes support for
chat interactions with the GPT
model. Microsoft has integrated
OpenAI models with
various services, including
Bing, GitHub Copilot, and Microsoft
365, and is exploring the
potential of using ChatGPT in
enterprise-grade applications
on the Azure service.
Restrict information only
to those who are involved
Incorporating AI services such
as ChatGPT in enterprise-grade
applications requires stringent
demands on data security and
the accuracy of the AI-generated
content. By using Azure
OpenAI, customers can leverage
the same models as OpenAI
while benefiting from the
security features of Microsoft
Azure, such as private networking
and regional availability.
Microsoft said it is hosting
the OpenAI models on its
Azure infrastructure, and all
customer data sent to Azure
OpenAI remains within the
service. The prompts and completion
data may be stored
temporarily by the Azure OpenAI
Service in the same region
as the resource for a maximum
of 30 days. It is important to
note that this data is not sent
to OpenAI, and it does not use
customer data to train, retrain,
or improve the models in the
Azure OpenAI Service.
Figure 1 Source: Microsoft
Moreover, to ensure data
security and reliability, users
can integrate Azure OpenAI
service with other Azure services.
For example, Microsoft
demonstrated a demo where it
integrated Azure OpenAI with
Azure Cognitive Search service.
The data of the knowledge base
is stored in an Azure Cognitive
Search index, which allows
the implementation of various
building blocks for security
and filtering, such as document-level
granular access control.
In the demo, information
about the project of an office
move to enhance team collaboration
is restricted to involved
members only. If someone who
is not involved types "Is there
a move or office space change
coming?", the AI-generated
response will be "I don't know,"
indicating that no documents
are available that provide information
about the project.
Generate trustworthy
responses and prevent
abuse and harmful content
Another consideration for
using AI in enterprise applications
is how we can make
responses trustworthy and
prevent abusive and harmful
content. One approach to
ensuring trustworthiness is to
cite the resources used to generate
responses. In the demo
from Microsoft mentioned
earlier, it provides source citations
for the facts presented,
users can validate the information
and gain confidence in the
accuracy of the response.
TECH TALK
BY JIADONG CHEN
Jiadong Chen is a cloud
architect at Waikato software
specialist Company-X and
a Microsoft Most Valued
Professional.
Iconic 3D building a first for Southern Hemisphere
The first commercial building built
from 3D printed concrete in the
southern hemisphere has been
completed in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The new Creators Forest Lake building
embraces indoor-outdoor flow, featuring
textured concrete walls and large sliding
doors on the kitchen to give the teachers the
option to open or close rooms off from the
outside, or increase their play-space and
serve food and drinks directly outside.
Completed on time through the peak of
post-COVID supply chain issues by Iconic
Construction Ltd, general manager Johnny
Gordon says using QOROX walls was a
massive time-saver due to the quick printing
and setting time.
“There was a seven-day turnaround
from the 3DCP walls being printed to being
fully installed and filled, using QOROX’s
game-changing technology. It was impressive,
particularly when you compare it
with traditional masonry blocks or timber
methods,” Gordon says.
“Six sections of QOROX 3D printed
walls at a combined length of 15 metres
long and three metres high, were printed in
under five hours. Within the space of a day
and a half, we had an entire length of wall
finished inside and out.”
Gordon says the time saving was
noticed by other trades on site, particularly
the quick wall installation, which was completed
in just two and a half days by two
people.
QOROX founder Wafaey Swelim says
the speed of construction was due to the
innovative technology and the construction
“ink”, made from 80 percent of material
sourced in New Zealand.
Gordon says being able to build texture
into the wall design brings architectural
interest into the space, while also being
functional.
“You don’t often think of concrete as
warm and welcoming, but having the texture
allows us to bring personality into each
wall, and also serve a functional purpose to
hold and transfer heat which is great for all
seasons.”
“We were so impressed by the 3D
printed concrete texture, that we added it
into the kitchen island facade along with a
curved edge.”
The next development by Iconic is
already in the pipeline, with Iconic and
QOROX working with local designers to
bring to life the possibilities of 3D printing
in New Zealand commercial and residential
construction.
Figure 2 Source: Microsoft
Preventing abusive and
harmful content requires a
more proactive approach. This
is where content filtering comes
in. The content management
system of the Azure OpenAI
Service screens out potentially
harmful content by running the
input prompt and generated
completion through a series of
classification models. If harmful
content is detected, the system
either returns an error or
flags the response as having
gone through content filtering.
In summary, ensuring
trustworthiness and preventing
abusive content are crucial
considerations when using AI
in enterprise applications. By
citing sources and utilizing content
filtering, these applications
can provide accurate and reliable
responses while maintaining
a safe and respectful environment
for all users.
IP protection, simplified.
We’ve been championing innovation since 1979.
A safe pair of hands delivering outstanding results.
jamesandwells.com

10
WAIKATO
WAIKATO
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
NEWS,
NEWS,
FEBRUARY/MARCH
APRIL/MAY 2023
2023
We.EV offers Electric Vehicle
infrastructure analysis
We.EV has seized the opportunity to
lead the way in supporting businesses
to transition their fleets to EVs by
investigating, designing, installing and
providing an end-to-end solution to
meet the customers’ needs and to
minimize capital costs. Community
owned, our vision is simple; to help
businesses shape a better, more
renewable future.
We.EV has completed various projects
throughout the Waikato for education
providers, councils, large and small
commercial enterprises.
”When considering EV charging solutions,
it’s important to understand your existing
electrical infrastructure, ensure systems are
not overloaded but still maximise the use of
existing assets. Our team can provide you
with the expert analysis and design required
before commencing charger procurement
and installation,” says Head of We.EV
Craig Marshall.
There can be considerable costs involved
with the installation of charging equipment.
These can include upgrades to existing
switchboards and cables onsite, the main
electrical supply or disruptive works involving
civil (trenching), ducts, pits and charging
equipment foundations.
Understanding the options and solutions that
can minimize costs and maximise charging
availability before embarking on your project
is essential. And that’s where We.EV comes in.
The We.EV team can analyse existing site
infrastructure, power usage and parking
locations to produce a report detailing
recommended EV charging infrastructure
alongside budget pricing to fit with your
current needs and allow easy expansion into
the future.
We.EV will partner with you and offer our
know-how and experience to investigate and
provide a cost-effective EV charging solution
for your organization.
0800 800 935 | we-ev.co.nz

How will AI impact
your business?
Is artificial
intelligence coming
for your job?
A
recent report from
Goldman Sachs
suggests that generative
artificial intelligence
systems will affect 300 million
full time jobs worldwide, and
significantly disrupt the labour
market.
It’s got some people worried.
Some 62 percent of Americans
believe AI will impact
jobs over the next 20 years,
according to a Pew Research
Center report released recently
[April 20].
According to Professor Bernhard
Pfahringer, co-director
of Te Ipu o te Mahara AI Institute
at University of Waikato,
there is nothing to fear.
“Twenty years ago, artificial
intelligence was an aspiration,
but now it is a reality with
far-reaching implications,” he
says.
“It is a tool with huge potential
to help us all, and change
the way we work and live, just
like the Internet did.”
Professor Pfahringer is
a lecturer in the Computing
and Mathematical Sciences at
the University. His research
focuses on AI, deep learning
and machine learning.
He spoke about ChatGPT,
AI and its implications at a
learning lunch organised by
the Waikato Public Relations
Institute of New Zealand
(PRINZ) committee in April.
Professor Pfahringer said
that AI tools have the potential
to boost productivity and
save labour costs across many
industries, but many also lead
to unemployment in certain
roles or sectors.
“Some jobs will disappear,
but new ones will emerge.”
Roles that could be
impacted by the new technology
include administrative and
legal services, journalism and
content creation, web coding
and software engineering.
ChatGPT is a large language
model created by OpenAI
that predicts the next word
in a sequence of words, and, by
iterating the process, can create
long sections of text, says
Professor Bernhard Pfahringer
Professor Pfahringer.
The chatbot is trained on
huge amounts of publicly
available information on the
Internet, including news and
journal articles, alongside
open-source computer code.
There are other similar generative
AI models, including
Google’s Bard and those that
produce images, video, audio
and text based on prompts,
currently available. New innovations
and improved interactions
are also in the pipeline.
Professor Pfahringer
believes that, in the future, AI
will be incorporated into word
processing programmes, like
spell checker apps are today.
This will speed up the process
of transcribing, analysing
and organising vast amounts
of information - helpful for
a range of professions, from
legal and human resources,
to media, public relations and
education. .
Another positive is that
using AI frees people up to
focus on higher level tasks and
critical thinking, says Professor
Pfahringer.
“There will be higher productivity
and a better quality
product.”
To ensure equity, he
believes that subscribing to
generative AI models and
other emerging technologies
should be made widely accessible
to schools, community
organisations and in business
settings.
There are some concerns
surrounding these AI tools
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 11
however, including accuracy,
the generation and distribution
of fake news and misinformation,
implications for creatives
and creativity, cheating
on assignments, and copyright
and plagiarism, among other
things.
There is also concern about
how te ao Māori and other
world views outside the dominant
US-centric mainstream
are reflected or accommodated
by commercially dominant
large language models.
For those using ChatGPT
for research or content generation,
accuracy is still a concern.
Professor Pfahringer says
that these “are hallucinations;
sometimes AI just makes
things up”.
ChatGPT doesn’t always
produce factually correct text,
although articles can read as
entirely plausible on first read.
“This is a risk, especially
if you do not take a critical
approach and accept it as
fact, and then share it as false
information.”
The takeaway is, use AI
tools to speed up your work
processes, for idea generation
or as a starting point, but double
check everything.
Creativity and critical thinking
can not be easily replaced.
Humans are still very much
needed to manage the process
and ensure accuracy.
– By Kate Monahan Public
Relations Institute of New
Zealand (PRINZ) Waikato
committee deputy chair
CONVERSATIONS WITH MIKE NEALE OF
NAI HARCOURTS HAMILTON
Mike Neale, Managing Director, NAI Harcourts Hamilton
Building Energy Efficiency
Ratings - NABERS
There has been increasing interest
and Tenant requirements around
building efficiency in recent
years, particularly from government
and corporate occupiers. We started
with Green Star, which from a Hamilton
perspective was often a costly exercise
where Tenants were rarely prepared to
pay the associated rental freight for the
rating, to the more attainable NABERS
rating system.
NABERSNZ (New Zealand version
of NABERS - National Australian Built
Environment Rating System) and Green
Star are two sustainability rating systems
used in Australia and New Zealand to
measure the environmental performance
of commercial buildings. While both
rating systems aim to promote sustainable
buildings, they differ in their approach
and focus.
NABERS Ratings:
NABERS is a performance-based
rating system that measures the energy
efficiency, water usage, and waste
management of existing commercial
buildings. It was developed in Australia
in 1998 and has since been adopted in
New Zealand as well. NABERS ratings
are based on actual building performance
data, which is collected over a period of 12
months and benchmarked against other
buildings.
The NABERS rating system is
designed to assess the environmental
impact of buildings, primarily focused
on measuring their operational energy
efficiency, such as how much energy is
used for heating, cooling, lighting, and
hot water systems. On a scale of 0 to 6
stars, a 6-star rating represents marketleading
environmental performance,
while a 0-star rating indicates that the
building has a high environmental impact.
NABERS ratings are used to benchmark
building performance and provide the
building owners with recommendations
for improvement.
There are 3 types of NABERSNZ
ratings – Base Building, Tenancy or
Whole Building, which measures a
combination of both Base Building and
Tenancy ratings.
Green Star Ratings:
Green Star is a comprehensive rating
system that evaluates the environmental
design and construction of new buildings,
as well as major refurbishments. It was
developed by the Green Building Council
of Australia in 2003 and has since been
adopted in New Zealand as well. The Green
Star rating system assesses a building’s
environmental impact in nine categories,
including energy, water, materials, and
indoor environment quality.
Green Star ratings are based on a
points system, with a building needing
to achieve a certain number of points in
each category to attain a rating. Green
Star ratings range from 1 to 6 stars,
with a 6-star rating representing world
leadership in sustainable building design
and construction.
Benefits of NABERS in New Zealand:
NABERSNZ has several benefits for
building owners and occupants in New
Zealand.
Firstly, NABERSNZ ratings provide
building owners with an understanding
of their building’s energy and water usage
and waste management performance. This
information can be used to identify areas
of improvement and implement energysaving
measures, which can lead to cost
savings on energy bills.
Secondly, NABERSNZ ratings can
increase the value of a building. A higher
NABERS rating indicates that a building
has lower environmental impact and is
therefore more attractive to potential
tenants and investors.
Thirdly, NABERSNZ ratings can
improve the indoor environment quality
of a building. This is because buildings
with high NABERS ratings are more likely
to have features such as efficient lighting
and air conditioning systems, which
can improve the comfort and health of
occupants.
Lastly, NABERSNZ ratings can help to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New
Zealand. Buildings account for a significant
proportion of greenhouse gas emissions
in New Zealand, and improving the
environmental performance of buildings
can help to reduce these emissions and
mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, NABERS and Green
Star are two rating systems used in
Australia and New Zealand to measure the
environmental performance of buildings.
While both rating systems aim to promote
sustainable buildings, they differ in
their approach and focus. NABERS is a
performance-based rating system that
measures the energy efficiency, water
usage, and waste management of existing
buildings, while Green Star evaluates the
environmental design and construction of
new buildings and major refurbishments.
NABERS ratings appear more realistically
attainable than Green Star, particularly
for owners of existing commercial
buildings, therefore providing a valuable
tool for improving the environmental performance
of buildings and increasingly
seen as a means of demonstrating environmental
responsibility and compliance with
regulations. The significant benefits for
building owners and occupants in New Zealand,
include cost savings on energy bills,
increased building value, improved indoor
environment quality, and reduced greenhouse
gas emissions.
For more information -
www.nabersnz.govt.nz
NAI Harcourts Hamilton
Monarch Commercial Ltd MREINZ Licensed
Agent REAA 2008
Cnr Victoria & London Streets, HAMILTON
07 850 5252 | hamilton@naiharcourts.co.nz
www.naiharcourts.co.nz

Hey Toyota, does my new Hilux
come with any extras?
Sure does.
We call them accessories.
*
HAMILTON 5 Kahu Crescent, Te Rapa Park, Hamilton, 07 838 0499
MORRINSVILLE 85 Avenue Road North, Morrinsville, 07 889 7678
TE AWAMUTU 29 Kihikihi Road, Te Awamutu, 07 872 0017
www.ebbett.toyota.co.nz
* Accessorised model shown. Offer available towards the purchase of Toyota Genuine or Toyota Approved accessories on new Toyota Hilux vehicles (excluding GR Sport) purchased at TDP or Bronze pricing through an
Authorised Toyota Dealer between 1 April 2023 and 30 June 2023, or while stocks last. Prices and specifications are subject to change at any time. See Toyota.co.nz for full T&Cs.

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 13
Tupperware -
a tale of two (IP) issues
In early April, news broke 1 that
Tupperware, the well known US-based
food storage brand, is in serious trouble.
With rising debts
and falling sales,
Tupperware
warned that it could go bust
unless it can quickly raise new
financing. 2
Tupperware finds itself in
this predicament seemingly as
a result of a failure to innovate,
both in product design and
distribution methods, and
despite attempts to freshen
up its products in recent
years and reposition itself to
a younger audience. 3 As one
expert reportedly 4 commented,
Tupperware - while considered
innovative many years ago - was
perhaps not as inventive and
stylish as other (kitchenware)
brands such as Joseph Joseph. 5
Add to its innovation woes
the arguable fact that the
‘Tupperware’ brand name has
become a common name in
general public use (in trade
mark speak, ‘generic’) for
food storage containers, and
Tupperware (the company)
faces a task of Herculean
proportions to survive, let
alone once again prosper.
Tupperware’s problems
highlight the need for all
businesses to ‘stay relevant’:
that is, continually innovate in
product and/or service design
and delivery to meet the needs
and wants of customers. As
Peter Drucker 6 once declared,
businesses must “innovate
or die”. In more common
parlance, “stay ahead of the
pace of change or you’re toast”. 7
In saying this, it is important to
note that innovation doesn’t
have to come with a huge
price tag: innovation can be
small and cheap – it might be
a small change in how you do
something, or a slight shift
in how you communicate
what you do. Big or small,
opportunities for innovation
are everywhere – you just have
to be open to them.
Tupperware’s problems also
highlight the need for brand
owners to protect their brand
name from becoming ‘generic’–
as ‘Escalator’ and ‘Aspirin’, for
example, did and ‘Sellotape’
and ‘Jandals’ arguably have
(at least in New Zealand).
Stopping a trade mark from
becoming generic in New
Zealand requires a fine balance
of promotion and policing (as
Tasman Insulation, the maker
of ‘Pink Batts’ insulation,
found out in the course of
litigation between 2012 and
2015 8 ). Promote the name
too much in a manner which
makes consumers perceive it
as noun, or fail to stop people
from using the name as a noun,
and brand owners could find
themselves in Tupperware’s
shoes or, worse, facing a claim
to de-register their trade mark.
It will be a huge pity if the
lid on Tupperware’s future is
firmly sealed shut in the next
few months. I, for one, hope
the brand can be saved – all it
needs (apart from a shed load
of money) is the right kind of
love.
1. https://www.bbc.com/
news/business-65237293
“Tupperware warns of
collapse unless it finds
funds”
2. https://www.bbc.com/
news/business-65243711
“Tupperware: Why the
household name could soon
be history”
INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY ISSUES
BY BEN CAIN
Ben Cain is a Senior Associate
at James & Wells and a
Resolution Institute-accredited
mediator. He can be contacted
at 07 957 5660 (Hamilton),
07 928 4470 (Tauranga) and
benc@jaws.co.nz.
3. As fn 2 above
4. Neil Saunders, managing
director of retail at the
consultancy GlobalData, see
fn 2 above
5. https://www.josephjoseph.
com/
6. Peter Drucker was an
influential Austrian-
American author, mentor
and consultant who is
considered the father
of modern business
management: https://
www.businessnewsdaily.
com/10634-peter-druckermanagement-theory.html
7. https://hbr.org/2014/12/
innovation-on-the-fly#
8. See Tasman Insulation New
Zealand Limited v Knauf
Insulation Limited [2014]
NZHC 960 and Tasman
Insulation New Zealand
Ltd v Knauf Insulation Ltd
[2015] NZCA 602
Dear Australia Prime lays out Minister the “big
Hipkins…
welcome” mat for NZ citizens
The recent announcement by the Australian Government to
enable
Congratulations
New Zealand
on
citizens
your promotion,
to pathway
and
easier
for this
and
timely
quicker to
Australian
opportunity
citizenship
to contribute
is very
our
much
30+
welcomed,
years of experience
and will finally
in
allow New Zealand NZ citizens immigration in Australia work to enjoy to help the same inform benefits your thinking that
New about Zealand your approach confers on to their the citizens immigration in New portfolio. Zealand. What
impact will this on the NZ job market and NZ employers?
Historically the immigration portfolio
was seen
Historically, NZers
as somewhat
have had
of
the
a
right
poisoned
to live
chalice,
and work
and
in
it
Australia
was not
until the
without
first John
a visa
Key
under
government
the Transin
Tasman
2008 that
Travel
this
Arrangement
approach changed,
(TTTA) since
and
1973.
immigration
However,
began
they
to
have
be
not
viewed
been
more
entitled
as
to
an
the
economic
same benefits
tool rather
as Australian
than just a
citizens.
means
For
to protect
example,
New
they
Zealand
have not
jobs.
been
The
eligible
immigration
portfolio
for
government assistance,
has since
such
developed
as social
into
security
one
of significant
payments,
strategic
and they have
importance
to pay higher
which
fees
influences
for healthcare
many aspects
and education.
of New Zealand
On the
other
society,
hand,
workforce
Australians
and the
(&
economy.
Australian
Immigration
resident
visa
is now
holders)
a key
have
Government
had full
portfolio.
rights to
live
Looking
and work
at the
in
big
New
picture.
Zealand. Australia
also
New
tightened
Zealand
its rules
should
in 2001
not
as
rest
it viewed
on its
(correctly)
laurels and expect
that too
that
many
it continues
migrants
to be
were
one
using
of the
New
most
Zealand
desired migrant
as a back-door
destinations,
entry
as
to
Australia.
it is not, and we are trending backwards. In
fact,
Now,
we will
from
be
July
doing
1, 2023,
well just
NZers
to hold
who have
onto
lived
the new
in Australia
migrants
for
that
four
we
years
do initially
or more,
attract
and
meet
to this
health
country.
and character requirements,
can
We
be eligible
are an
to
aging
apply
population
for Australian
and,
citizenship
by
2028, 1
and
in every
will then
5 people
have
will
all the
be 65+
rights
years.
that
such
Our birth
citizenship
rate of
confers.
1.6 children is well below
the
Time
replacement
will tell
rate
on what
of 2.1.
impact
Our
these
rural
changes
townships
will
are
have
losing
on the
infrastructure
New Zealand
and
job
market.
services,
With
and while
higher
our
wages
schools
and
need
a lower
more
cost
teachers
of living,
now,
and
in a
the
few
range
years’
of
time
job opportunities
school
rolls will
in
be
Australia,
declining
coupled
and these
with
teachers
a desire
for
will
younger
need to
NZers
find other
to throw
jobs or
off
go
their
overseas.
“covid
shackles”,
Family and
the
lifestyle
likelihood
have
is that
always
there
been
will
definitely
the main
be
reasons
a strong
migrants
pull factor.
choose
In addition,
New
families
Zealand.
with
However,
school-aged
these
children,
alone may
who
not
had
be
previously
sufficient to
been
attract
reluctant
and
to
retain
consider
the
a
people
move
to
and
Australia
skills our
due
country
to potential
needs
education
to maintain
costs
may
our living
now reconsider
standards,
their
let alone
plans.
to
With
grow.
some
We
700,000
need younger
kiwis in
people
Australia
who
most
can
NZers
contribute
have
friends
more, and
and
for
family
longer,
there
to New
who
Zealand.
can provide
support
New Zealand
and guidance
must attract
should
the
they
migrants
decide
to
it
relocate.
wants, and
It is
needs,
also only
in
a
an
3-4
increasingly
hour flight,
and
competitive
the cost
and
is cheaper
dynamic
than
international
flying many
domestic
market, and
routes.
one
Australia
where people
is already
can
very
now
active
work-from-home
on NZ job sites
anywhere
targeting
in the
NZ
world.
teachers
We
no longer enjoy the competitive advantages
Level 2
586 Victoria Street
Hamilton 3204
Level 2
586 Victoria Street
Hamilton 3204
we once had, but one thing within our
and
control
nurses,
is to
and
make
many
the immigration
other roles and
process
with
many
easier
including
and quicker,
attractive
and
relocation
world-leading,
grants.
In
and
short
to promote
there are
“the
many
visa
incentives
process”
to
as
move!
one
reason
(As an
to
interesting
choose New
aside
Zealand.
many kiwis
Online
(&
NZ
visa
residents)
applications,
in Australia
and the move
are eligible
to more
to
vote
automated
in the NZ
assessment
general election
processes,
and
will
the
help
NZ
Government
but there is a
has
very
recently
long way
made
to go.
a temporary
change
One
to
area
widen
which
the eligibility
would help
criteria….)
is for the
Government
The potential
to
impact
engage
on
in
NZ
more
employers
robust
could
and well-planned
be very significant.
policy
They
settings,
are already
and to
experiencing
pressure-test
skill
such
shortages
settings
and
before
now stand
these
to
are
lose
implemented.
more skilled
It
staff.
is acknowledged
Further, in order
that
to
policies
retain
have
their existing
been necessarily
staff, employers
“reactive”
are
being
over the
required
past 3 years
to pay
but
higher
there
wages,
have been
but
too
at
some
many
point,
instances
and given
of back-tracking
the talk of recession,
of newly
some
introduced
employers
policies
will
when
have no
better
choice
planning
but to
batten
and consultation
down the hatches
would “get-it-right-firsttime”.
– something that
will both
The
further
new
hurt
Active
the
Investor
economy
Policy
and
will
should
directly
be first
promote
on the chopping
movement
block!
across the
ditch.
We also need forward looking policies
which
Employers
are fit-for-purpose
will be left
in
with
today’s
the option
world.
of
Policies
attracting
which
and
focus
employing
on enabling
migrant
the
workers,
most
desirable
but this
migrants
is a highly
the
competitive
opportunity
market
to
for
experience
the right
New
skills
Zealand
and, in
and,
an
if
international
they choose
marketplace,
to stay, then
NZ
great.
has
We
definitely
should
lost
not
its
demand
shine.
The
that
other
these
increasingly
people commit
attractive,
indefinitely
and possibly
to
stay.
the most feasible option, is to invest in
technology
The Productivity
to reduce reliance
Commission
on staff and
report
to
identify
into immigration
and promote business
recommended
production
a
and
Government
efficiencies
Policy
across
Statement
the board.
to
Previously
set a clear
NZ’s
strategic
lower
direction
waged economy
for immigration
had tended
policy.
to
negate
This would
and stifle
be a
the
good
need
start
and
and
desire
provide
for
such
some
investment
overriding
–
guidance
something
(ideology!)
which is no
to
longer
inform
the
policy
case!
settings with a focus on what
immigration
The Australian
can deliver
Government
for the
announcement
good of
New Zealand
is definitely
in the
a
longer
big win
term.
for New Zealanders
What
who
about
wish
a
to
work-from-homein-NZ
take up, and benefit
from,
visa?
the opportunities
People could
available
live in
in
New
the
“lucky
Zealand
country”,
and work
but it is
anywhere
NZ employers
in
who
the
will
world,
be on
now
the losing
that
side.
would
The challenge
really put
for
New
New
Zealand
Zealand
will
on
be
the
to stop
map!
the
Yes
trickle
- Prime
turning
Minister!
into a flood.
Level 3
50 Manners Street
Wellington 6011
07 834 9222
enquiries@pathwaysnz.com
pathwaysnz.com
Level 3
50 Manners Street
Wellington 6011

1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
Waipā
Businesses
shine at awards
The Waipā Networks Business
Awards celebrated a variety of
diverse local businesses from
across the Waipā region recently at
a night of celebration and glamour.
7.
Treadlite New Zealand team with
Waipa Networks CEO Sean Horgan
8.
10.
12.
14.
This year has seen a strong field of entrants, both
in quality and number of entries, doubling the
number from 2021.
From new and emerging, small, medium and large
businesses - each were judged on their own merit across a
range of 16 award categories.
A judging panel of experienced industry professionals
were led by two head judges Howard Davey and Heather
Connelly of the University of Waikato - Management
School.
“The level of innovation and adoption of technology
often in more ‘traditional’ businesses was outstanding.
The strategic thinking and application were very impressive,
ie ‘walking the talk’, taking time out to think about
future directions and choices. Nurturing and developing
workers and building resilient teams came across
strongly. Finally, a dominant theme was the client relationship
and understanding customers’ needs. Overall,
the level of innovation, energy, and commitment, as well
as outright success bodes well for the future of the district,”
Davey says.
Cambridge Business Chamber CEO Kelly Bouzaid says
the chamber was delighted at both the diversity and calibre
of applications for the 2023 awards.
“We are in a privileged position to peek into businesses
of all ages and stages and see the calibre of leadership,
innovation, culture and sustainability. We have seen resilience
and robustness within our business community,
and we are inspired and proud of their achievements.”
1. Jim Goddin from Grinter’s Funeral Home and Rosetown Funeral Home and Waipā District Council Mayor Susan
O’Regan | 2. Joelene Ranby from Resolution Retreats and Te Awamutu Business Chamber CEO Shane Walsh |
3. Findex Te Awamutu associate partner Jarrod Godfrey and Daryl-Lynn Wilken from Varntige | 4. University of Waikato
Pro Vice Chancellor Matt Bolger and Ignite Arts Academy Raymond and Maxine Nelson | 5. Rocketspark co-founder
Jeremy Johnson and Tracy Morgan from Squoodles Educational Resources | 6. Waipā District Council Deputy Mayor
Liz Stolwyk and Emily Hudson from HomeBrew Coffee | 7. Steve Hastie from Riverside Adventures Waikato and
Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton | 8. Richard Upperton from Treadlite NZ and PAUA Architects
Business Development Manager Phil Mackay | 9. Aroha Croft from The Smoke Collective Barbecue and Cambridge
& Te Awamutu News editor Roy Pilott | 10. Fieldays CEO Peter Nation and APL Window Solutions manager Danielle
Stowers-Boon | 11. Cambridge Business Chamber chair Tracy Olivier and Jim Goddin from Grinter’s Funeral Home and
Rosetown Funeral Home | 12. Tracy Morgan from Squoodles Educational Resources and Craigs Investment Partners
advisor Chantal Baxter | 13. Daniel Billings from Maple and Stone and Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch | 14.
Mark Hanlon from Rotary Cambridge Urban Miners and Waipā Council Waste Minimisation advisor Sally Fraser
9.
11.
13.
Winners of the 2023
Waipā Networks
Business Awards
SUPREME WINNER
Treadlite NZ Ltd
CUSTOMER CHOICE
The Smoke Collective Barbecue
– Cambridge
Fresh Choice Supermarket
- Te Awamutu
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Emily Hudson – Homebrew
Coffee – Cambridge
Darryl-Lynn Wilken
– Varntige - Te Awamutu
LEADER OF THE YEAR
Peter Nation – NZ National
Fieldays Society
COMMUNITY
CONTRIBUTION
Grinter’s Funeral Home and
Rosetown Funeral Home
EXCELLENCE IN
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Treadlite NZ Ltd
EXCELLENCE IN
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Grinter’s Funeral Home and
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EMERGING/NEW BUSINESS
Maple and Stone
INNOVATION
AND KNOWLEDGE
Squoodles Educational
Resources
DIGITAL STRATEGY
AND E-COMMERCE
Squoodles Educational
Resources
WASTE MINIMISATION
– ENVIRONMENTAL
Rotary Cambridge Urban
Miners
CONTRIBUTION TO
TOURSIM AND/OR
HOSPITALITY
Riverside Adventures Waikato
JUDGES CHOICE
Ignite Arts Academy
Procuta Associates
Urban + Architecture
Contact us 07 839 6521
www.pauaarchitects.co.nz
Proud sponsors of the Business Excellence - Large Business Award,
PAUA congratulates Treadlite NZ for their success in winning this category and the Supreme Award

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 15
The Business of Art
Emerging artist
makes an impact
Exploring the creatives in the business of art
Pounamu Wharekawa
(Ngai te Rangi, they/
themme/ia) is a relative
newcomer on the art scene in
Hamilton but they are already
making a big impact.
A self-described “indigenous
baddie, fine artist, illustrator
and muralist”, Pounamu makes
art that speaks about the “intersections
of identity through
the lens of a queer, small town
turned urban Māori living their
best boring life in the big smoke
of Kirikiriroa”.
Using vibrant technicolour
to depict contemporary versions
of Māori pūrākau (legends),
atua (deity) and ancestors,
Pounamu reimagines them
as if they were a cast of rich and
diverse characters dancing at
the club in downtown Aotearoa.
“I feel like you can’t avoid
your own identity. As a
takatāpui Māori, feminine person
there's no way to avoid any
of my lefty views coming into
my art because I value my own
existence and that of my peers.
So, all of my work is a love letter
to them and the people I
know, and I feel like that in
itself is political. These are trans
people, these are square people,
these are beautiful mana
wāhine who are under appreciated
in our society.”
Participating in the Boon
Street Art Festival in 2021, their
mural of a feminine atua on
Liverpool Street was created in
their last year of Wintec media
arts studies.
“It is about how when you’re
in the city or a different place
from where you whakapapa to/
where you grow up it’s easy to
feel lonely or like it’s not where
you belong. The mural depicts
a rangatahi and a tīpuna hongi-ing,
kind of a play on the saying
my ancestors walk with me
- so the idea that no matter how
alone you feel, your ancestors
are always there with you.”
This stunning piece of street
art is not their first mural
though, it was a mural Pounamu
had painted while at Wintec that
caught the eye of Boon Street
Festival director Craig McClure.
“He saw my first ever mural
and he just hit me up to be in
the mural festival, so that was
pretty cool.”
Making these sorts of connections
is something Pounamu
has actively fostered in the pursuit
of being a fulltime artist.
I feel really lucky
to be working
fulltime as an
artist. I was not
expecting it to be
this close after
graduating.
“I worked really hard, going
out to events and making
friends with people that were in
really good positions to offer me
work or help nurture me. At one
event I just happened to meet
someone who was really good at
funding applications. She fully
took that on for me and she did
not expect anything in return
for it.”
The early success, coupled
with past experiences of undervaluing
their work, has given
Pounamu the confidence to
negotiate with clients’ booking
commission work.
Being able to price accordingly
is something Pounamu
has put a bit of thought into.
After all there’s a lot of time that
goes into a painting regardless
of its size.
“I like to have a price range
in mind that I will never go
under. But I’ll also ask the client
what their budget is and then I
can offer a range of different of
things that I can do for them.”
Before Wintec, Pounamu
had tried their luck at making a
living as an artist but they didn’t
have the business sense at the
time to value their work.
“Basically, I was trying to
sell original illustrations for 30
bucks, which is the same as a
print price. Obviously, I wasn't
doing very well. Like, I just
spent 10 hours on this painting
and I got $20 for it.”
Pounamu credits Wintec
for helping build their business
acumen and professionalism.
“For me, the thing that
was most helpful about Wintec
wasn't the technical stuff it
was building relationships with
my classmates and artists. And
being able to be better at scheduling,
because if you're having
to do assignments, then you get
used to knowing what a deadline
is.”
For Pounamu, working with
others on commissions or collaborations
with other artists
provides a social aspect that
working solo doesn’t.
“I'm lucky I don't have to
take on much that I don't vibe
with. Some of it can be a little
bit more exciting than others,
obviously. At the end of the day,
I really like working with clients
because I feel like it's a lot more
of a collaborative process.
“A lot of artists don't like
doing commissions full stop,
and they’d rather focus on their
own stuff. But I find that it can
be quite lonely as an artist, it’s
very introspective, because you
aren't really talking to anyone.”
Being able to make a living
from art as an emerging artist
is something they don’t take
lightly.
“I feel really lucky to be
working fulltime as an artist. I
was not expecting it to be this
close after graduating. But I was
lucky enough to have built up
quite a decent client base while
I was still studying.”
Much of that study time was
through the COVID lockdowns
and meant time to get stuck in
assignments, as well as contemplate
how to get work out in
front of the public.
“I think COVID was a really
good way for people to stop concentrating
so much on exhibitions.
Because that's one of the
big things as an artist, you're
meant to do. I think people
were experimenting more with
other ways to get their art out
into the world.”
For Pounamu, it seemed
like an ideal time to build an
Instagram following and a website
with the hope of selling art.
“It felt like heaps people
were getting art over COVID
because we were spending so
much time in our houses and so
buying art was a way to tolerate
being stuck in our homes,” they
laugh.
As well as paintings and
large-scale murals, Pounamu
offers a range of prints and
t-shirts through their website.
The small-scale offerings
contribute towards about half
of Pounamu’s income, but more
importantly it makes their art
more accessible.
“When I was studying and
we had to figure out what we
value in art and creativity. One
of the big ones for me was trying
to think of different ways
that I could make my work
more accessible to people like
me, or students or someone on
a benefit.”
Check out Pounamu’s work
at www.pounamuwharekawa.
com.

16 WAIKATO
WAIKATO
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
NEWS,
NEWS,
APRIL/MAY
APRIL/MAY
2023
2023
The three “diseases”
destroying our once
world-class health
sector
Age, Education and Inaction.
Doctors & nurses. We do
not have enough, and
they are disappearing.
When the NZ Rural Health
Network chair Dr Fiona Bolden
claims “it is not too dramatic to
say we are seeing a collapse of
health services in rural areas,”
we need to wake up and take
notice and act.
Age
The numbers tell a stark
story of age:
• Median age of all GPs is
54 with 14% over 65.
• One third plan to retire
within five short years.
• 50% will be retired within
10 years.
• 80% of our rural GPs say
they have suffered some
form of burnout.
We need over 800 new
doctors every year and we only
train 550. That need can only
grow, and the supply is being
artificially constrained by our
education system.
Our hospitals are in crisis
and no amount of rearranging
the deck chairs and back office
staff will improve our frontline.
In a crisis there are times when
you simply need numbers
of expert hands and the best
frontline troops; our primary
health doctors, are under
pressure, leaving the vocation,
and we are not replacing them
quick enough.
Our GPs are the ones who
know you and your family’s
health intimately. They are up
close and personal and more
than anyone else can prevent
a health crisis with a patient if
the symptoms are caught early.
That avoids overloading our
hospitals.
The answer is… we simply
need more doctors and nurses.
There is plenty of distressing
commentary about it. When
Starship Hospital cannot use its
assets because of lack of staff,
our most vulnerable children
are at risk.
Education
The core of the problem is
our education system.
We are being held to
ransom by an educational
duopoly at a time when we need
to train more medical staff.
Supply of new doctors is being
artificially restricted by the
two New Zealand universities
with medical schools that
aggressively protect their patch.
The two medical schools are
acting as if they are a duopoly
and they need to be challenged.
A duopoly is where two
entities have dominant or
exclusive control over a market.
The Commerce Commission
is looking at all forms of anticompetitive
behaviour but is
missing the boat when it comes
to the education of doctors.
Immigration has been
proven to be a false solution.
75% of foreign educated doctors
leave New Zealand within
2023
By Don Good, CEO of Waikato
Chamber of Commerce.
three years of arriving, and
this government has held onto
tough immigration settings.
Your health is at risk
because it is clear we are not
training enough doctors.
Inaction
The solution is action
not inaction. The solution is
creating a new medical school
at Waikato University.
If we want good healthcare
for ourselves and future
generations, we must hit up our
local MPs on this issue now.
If you are in a rural Waikato
electorate your MPs are Louise
Upston, Scott Simpson, Tim
van de Molen, Barbara Kuriger,
David Bennett and Andrew
Bayly. If you are in Hamilton,
it is Tama Potaka in the west
and Jamie Strange in the east.
It wouldn’t hurt to chase up
the aspiring election 2023
candidates like Ryan Hamilton
& Georgie Dansey now that
they have announced their
intentions to run for election.
Prevention is always better
than a cure. We need the
University of Waikato Medical
School to ensure we have
enough doctors to keep us
healthy and out of hospitals.
Use your vote this year to get
a new medical school.
WAIKATO CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
BUSINESS
AWARDS
The road to perfection
It’s a phrase I’ve heard a lot recently – the road to perfection
is littered with disappointment. Or sometimes with
compromise. So, what does it mean for our marketing?
I’ve come to the conclusion
I’m too old and battleweary
to expect that very
much in my life will come out
as perfectly as I might hope it
would.
I’m relieved to say that with
every brand review or campaign
I start working on, I still
can’t help begin by thinking
“what if we can do something
that really blows people’s socks
off?”
The relentless effort, dedication,
and perseverance
needed to strive for the best
campaign, the best piece of
marketing, the best ad, is often
what drives our endeavours as
comms and marketing people.
But even with all that toil and
tribulation, perfection may still
be elusive.
I was born a bit cynical, I
have to admit. (I vividly recall
being told to look it up in a
dictionary when I was about
seven.) But I think age and
wisdom have rounded off the
sharp corners of my cynicism
and softened me into a healthier
realist.
The older I get, the more
uphill the journey towards perfection
seems to be, and the
pain of setbacks, criticism, or
obstacles that can lead to disappointment
is still painfully
all too real.
It often feels like there are
too many stars that need to
align to be able to shine brightest.
But that doesn’t mean we
can give up entirely.
Perhaps we can blame
social media (go on – let’s!) for
the fact that we are surrounded
by so many great examples of
marketing brilliance, and we
hope in our heart of hearts that
we too could achieve the same
level of greatness.
When we don’t feel our
efforts meet the perfection
TELLING YOUR
STORY
BY VICKI JONES
Vicki Jones is director of
Dugmore Jones, Hamilton-based
brand management consultancy.
vicki@dugmorejones.co.nz
criteria, we can blame lack of
budget or resources, lack of
opportunity, a lack of understanding
on the part of our customers
or, too often, a lack of
understanding within our own
businesses.
But the reality is that at least
one of those factors, or one of
many others, is likely to mean
we simply must compromise on
our lofty vision. We can cripple
ourselves trying to make something
perfect, when we could
just as easily be running ahead
of the rest with something
that’s not perfect but still pretty
darn good. Or, worse, do nothing
at all through fear of failure.
I’ve been admiring the
youthful and resilient optimism
of my daughter recently,
who has finished her Bachelor
of Creative Media Production
degree. She’s keenest on
the post-production side of
film and wants to be an editor.
Watching her working a few
projects to build up her portfolio,
I hold myself back from
telling her it’s ok to lower her
standards.
She’ll show me footage that
she’s editing and share her
frustrations about the quality,
or the light, or the saturation or
some other technical terms that
mean diddly squat to me. Looks
alright to me, I say! Until, on
the third time of viewing, I can
see what she’s concerned about
and admire her tenacity in trying
to make it right.
The clients won’t notice but,
as she rolls her eyes and says,
she will. And that matters.
The speakers at her graduation
told the newly capped
crowd to aim high, to set
seemingly unachievable goals,
because the higher you aim, the
higher you’ll reach.
That aspiration for perfection
is right to be encouraged,
for sure. But knowing when to
compromise on your standards
can be a key to success.
Think about the impact of
time constraints, deadlines,
and available resources, all of
which might force a refocus.
In some cases, achieving perfection
in one area may come
at the cost of another. Balancing
competing priorities may
require compromises to find a
middle ground that still meets
your goals.
There may be situations
where the pursuit of perfection
may not significantly contribute
to the desired outcome,
making it harder to justify
investment.
When it comes down to it,
the decision to compromise on
perfection depends on the specific
context, goals, and priorities.
It requires thoughtful consideration
to strike the right
balance.
Aiming for perfection may
be the ideal, but compromise
is better than never getting off
the starting blocks in the first
place.
THE GRAND CALIFORNIA
Connect - Grow - Inspire - Represent
Do you know someone
who needs a bit of rest
and relaxation? The
team at Ebbett Volkswagen
run an amazing initiative
called WE LOVE VW.
The Ebbett Group WE
LOVE VW is an opportunity
for the team to give back to
the community through various
initiatives. One such
initiative is the chance for
deserving individuals to take a
well-earned break in the fourberth
Volkswagen Campervan
Kiwifornia.
The team have had a huge
uptake of this great asset and
they want to continue to share
it with the community.
All you need to do is visit:
https://www.welovevw.nz/
grand-kiwifornia and put in
a nomination for yourself,
a family or friend member,
maybe even for a community
or charity group.
This campervan can be
available for a weekend
or even up to a week. Tell
the team why you or your
organisation deserves a break
in the Grand Kiwifornia. It’s as
easy as 1,2,3.
Find out what else the
Ebbett Volkswagen team do
for the community.
https://www.welovevw.
nz/grand-kiwifornia
https://www.welovevw.nz/

PropertY &
development
A WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS SUPPLEMENT / WBN.CO.NZ
APRIL/MAY 2023
SURVEYING | ENGINEERING | PLANNING | ENVIRONMENT
Adding value through innovation across a wide range
of specialist services.
Ngāmotu – New Plymouth
Taupō
A passion for our professions
and for the regions.
Kirikiriroa – Hamilton
Whāingaroa – Raglan
0800 289 787
www.btw.nz

Rodney Stirling
18 PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT
WAIKATO
WAIKATO BUSINESS
BUSINESS
NEWS,
NEWS, APRIL/MAY
APRIL/MAY
2023
2023
Creating a better future with innovative
and sustainable solutions
Rodney Stirling
Future-focused ventures continue to take shape across Aotearoa – New Zealand and BTW Company is
applying sought-after specialist expertise and innovative technologies to deliver successful outcomes.
Stirling
Rodney
With offices in
Kirikiriroa -
- New Plymouth, Whāingaroa
- Raglan and as of this year,
Taupō, BTW’s teams are on the
ground for many and varied
infrastructure, land development,
civil works, and renewable
energy projects.
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Since 1973, BTW has been
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Our team
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BTW is made up of 90+
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We all have a role to play
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BTW’s kapa includes surfers,
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the list goes on. As a kaitiaki
for whenua and culture, BTW
invests expertise and funding
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Many of their team volunteer
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WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT 19
THINGS TO EXPECT WHEN YOU
Work with Landmark Homes.
Unbeatable experience
Landmark Homes was founded by Debbie and Paul Clarke 45 years ago. Their knowledge and expertise saw Landmark grow from a small Tauranga-based
company into an award-winning nationwide business. Right from the beginning, Debbie and Paul established a construction and quality control protocol that
all Landmark Homes franchisees still adhere to today.
We believe a home built by Landmark Homes should last a lifetime. That’s why we have a rigorous quality control procedure to make sure our buildings
stand the test of time.
The team at Landmark Homes Waikato is passionate about building amazing homes and seeing their clients’ dreams come true. This highly experienced
team can oversee unique designs and help explain the building process to their clients by helping them though the design process. Landmark Homes
builds unique and individually designed homes to suit each client’s needs and dreams.
Our quality guarantee
We guarantee that when you build with Landmark you will receive a home built to Master Build standards, delivered by professional team with no nasty
budget blowouts.
CONTACT THE TEAM TODAY
07 849 5565
adminwaikato@landmarkhomes.co.nz
LANDMARKHOMES.CO.NZ
DON’T BUILD A HOUSE, BUILD A LANDMARK.

20 PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
CBD south-end looking better every day
Union Square’s carpark building is
now open, adding another 300-plus
private car parks to the CBD. And
the third building in this exciting new
development (Building E) is expected to
be ready in August.
Very quickly, the
south-end of Hamilton’s
CBD is changing,
growing and attracting enquiry
from notable businesses –
which is exactly what Fosters
had in mind when they first
floated the idea of the Union
Square development in 2019.
A Fosters joint venture project,
Union Square is Hamilton’s
marque office and retail development,
bringing to Hamilton
a world-class commerce environment.
The precinct uniquely
combines retail, office and lifestyle
space and offers proximity
to multiple public transport
options, childcare providers,
and hotels.
Designed and built with
the specific intent for occupiers
to ‘Experience Better’,
Union Square incorporates
large inviting common
spaces that encourage a sense
of community. This, paired
with exceptional architectural
design, offers an experiential
workplace to help businesses
attract and retain talent.
Within a short walking distance,
tenants can soak up
Hamilton’s already vibrant
south-end, with inspiring
exhibitions at the Waikato
Museum, a tasty selection of
cafes, bars and award-winning
restaurants. The new 1300-seat
Waikato Regional Theatre, set
for completion in 2024, will
add world class music and theatre
to the offering.
Wellness is a key focus at
Union Square with a gym, yoga
and Pilates, and green spaces
on offer within the precinct.
End of trip facilities include
over 30 shower/WC amenities,
within individual buildings
and the new car park building.
These are professionally managed
and supported with lockers,
ironing and hair drying
facilities.
And the Union Square App
– being developed with Company
X - will add efficiency for
tenants. Users will be able to
book a yoga session, order coffee,
book a meeting room in the
business centre or even a share
car to visit a client.
“Fosters are honoured to
play the role we have in reshaping
the south-end of the CBD
with the Union Square and
Theatre projects. Both projects
are prime examples of our continued
commitment to investing
in Hamilton City, with a
view of building a strong future
for the wider Waikato business
community,” Fosters Develop
Director Rhys Harvey says.
Like-minded businesses
– Rabobank, AA Insurance,
Craigs Investment Partners –
have already moved into Union
Square. While the likes of Company
X, BBO, Baker Tilly Staples
Rodway, Harcourts and
James & Wells are due to move
into Building E, referred to as
the Union Square Business
Centre, by the end of the year.
Within the business centre,
there will be state of the art
meeting rooms and conference
facilities which precinct tenants
will be able to book by the hour,
day, or week.
Craigs Investment Adviser
for Hamilton Stuart Anderson
says moving into Union Square
has been a fantastic experience.
“We chose Union Square
as we wanted to give our business
room for future growth.
We also wanted to enhance
our ability to educate our staff
and clients through better technology
and innovative spaces.
Most importantly, we wanted
to provide our team with a
vibrant and safe workspace,
including secure private parking,
which is increasingly hard
to find in the CBD.
“The lift in energy on day
one when our team arrived
was obvious” continues Stuart.
“The workspace has exceeded
expectations on overall aesthetics,
services (including the café
and facilities) as well as feeling
like we’re part of something
new and exciting, that will keep
changing as more of this development
takes shape.
“Combined with the new
Regional Theatre development,
we’re really looking forward
to the south end of the CBD
becoming a great place to work
and grow together as a team.”
More than 150 people
attended the Union Square
rooftop shout at the end of
April. The event combined
a celebration of the new car
park, plus an update on the
CBD from Fosters, Hamilton
Central Business Association,
the Waikato Chamber of
Commerce, and the Waikato
Regional Theatre.
“We really enjoyed hosting
a great range of Hamilton
businesspeople at the rooftop
shout” says Rhys. “It was
a great opportunity for people
to experience some of Union
Square and to hear about the
ongoing development of this
area of town.
“For us the car park is a forward-looking
investment for
both the city and our Union
Square tenants. The rooftop
also happens to offer fantastic
views over the city – perhaps we
can make rooftop CBD updates
a regular thing in the future!”
Mana whenua gifts name to St Peter’s
Cambridge/3Ms joint venture subdivision
Nearly two years ago,
St Peter’s Cambridge
entered into a joint
venture with property developer,
3Ms of Cambridge.
The partnership will see 32
of the school’s 170-hectare farmland
transformed into a residential
subdivision over the next
four years.
In a recent dawn ceremony,
mana whenua - Ngāti Koroki
Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā -
gifted the name Arikirua to the
subdivision.
Mana whenua liaison Karaitiana
Tamatea says Arikirua is
the name of the nearby Paa site
located on the banks of the awa.
“As the awa was historically ‘state
highway one’ for our tuupuna
it was a logical place to have a
paa site, coupled with the suitability
of the nearby fertile land
for growing crops. This name is
significant to mana whenua, and
naming the subdivision Arikirua
reinstates the mana of the
whenua. Both iwi trusts support
the gifting of the name.”
St Peter’s Cambridge School
Trust Board chair John Macaskill-Smith
says the school
is grateful to Ngāti Koroki
Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā for
the gifted name.
“The meaning is incredibly
significant, and we value the
connection it provides to the
whenua and the farming history
of the local area. For us, having
a gifted name for this subdivision
is just the beginning. We
look forward to building a close
relationship with mana whenua
to help us bring the meaning of
Arikirua to life by sharing more
stories about the land and connection
from the past, to the
present and into the future.”
In February 2022, St Peter’s
announced that proceeds from
the sale of the subdivision land
will go into the school’s Endowment
Fund.
The newly established, intergenerational
endowment fund is
designed to ensure the school’s
long-term financial independence
for the benefit of current
and future students.
Accumulated funds will
be used to further develop the
school’s world-class facilities and
educational options, while also
providing scholarships, grants,
and additional student support
into the future.
“We’ve structured the joint
venture with 3Ms to see returns
coming into the endowment
fund over many years. With
careful investment, over coming
decades the endowment fund
should grow into a substantial
and diversified investment
Mana whenua gift subdivision
name to St Peters Cambridge
portfolio, making it one of the
most significant school endowment
funds in New Zealand,”
Macaskill-Smith says.
The first of over 300 sections
in the Arikirua subdivision will
be available for sale in late 2024
to early 2025.
Since works began last year,
3Ms has focused its development
activity on earthworks, stormwater
pipeline installation and
groundwork preparations for
roading and infrastructure.
Owl Farm – the school’s
demonstration dairy farm joint
venture with Lincoln University,
and partners Ballance Agri-Nutrients,
Dairy NZ, Fonterra Farm
Source, PGG Wrightson and
Westpac - remains operational
on the school’s property and will
continue as a working farm for
the foreseeable future.
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WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 NEW HOME FOR ACC 21
Hawkins
delivers more
than meets the
eye on ACC build
As the main contractor of the Accident Compensation
Corporation regional offices, Hawkins is responsible
for delivering the project, including the base build
works for Tainui Group Holdings and the integrated
fitout for the Crown Tenant ACC. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Amohia Ake, Waikato ACC Centre, Hamilton.
hawkins.co.nz
Proud to be Building Better
Communities in the Waikato.

22 NEW HOME FOR ACC
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
Hawkins delivers
more than meets the
eye on ACC build
Lyndon Jones Electrical are proud to be
associated with The Tainui Group
Holdings and Hawkins Construction with
The ACC New Home Development Project.
172 Ellis St, Hamilton
P 07 847 9428
E lyndon.jones@xtra.co.nz
www.lyndonjoneselectrical.co.nz
As well as delivering a
significant landmark
building, Hawkins
central regional manager Ben
Connick says a huge success
for the Project Hauata build
is the implementation of the
social procurement initiatives
for Waikato-Tainui affiliated
subcontractors.
“The training, development
and financial outcomes
achieved for these businesses
and individuals have been significant.
We now have data
and reporting tools which
can demonstrate the flow of
money back into the Waikato-Tainui
business community
from THG’s investment.
There is so much more we can
do with this data and I feel the
project team have created a
great prototype to build on for
future projects.”
The project began back in
October 2022 and like most
large-scale projects undertaken
over a long period of
time, Ben says, they faced
challenges at certain points
during the build.
“Many of the supply chain
constraints and environmental
challenges encountered
on Project Hauata were not
apparent during the early
planning stages,” he explains.
“I feel proud of the way
our team have overcome
these challenges through a
mighty work ethic, innovative
sequencing and methodologies.
The ability for the team to
quickly react to the changing
market and implement alternative
procurement processes
was also a key factor in mitigating
time impacts, escalation
and shipping constraints.”
Ben says the project was set
up for success through TGH’s
forward thinking and decisive
approach to procurement
processes, which aligned with
the market conditions, along
with the investment in a great
design and consultant team.
Delivering a circa
10,000m2 landmark building
in Hamilton’s CBD, Ben says,
Projects of this
significance are
the reason many
of us work in
this industry
is a project the Hawkins team
will feel proud of for decades
to come.
“Projects of this significance
are the reason many of
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us work in this industry.”
Both Tainui Group Holdings
and Hawkins have a
long-standing history in the
Waikato.
“While there is a drive from
both businesses to produce
the most impressive buildings
in the region, there is
also an intrinsic desire by both
companies to utilise these
projects as a vehicle to develop
the capability of individuals
and businesses in the property
sector.”
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www.accurateconcretecutting.co.nz

24 NEW HOME FOR ACC
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
TGH delivers
striking new
Waikato home
for ACC
Mayor Paula Southgate, TGC chair Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’úa, ACC CEO Megan Main, Kiingi
Tuheitia, ACC chair Hon. Steve Maharey, Te Whakakitenga chair Parekawhia McLean, TGC
CEO Chris Joblin, Te Arataura chair Tukoroirangi Morgan, Waikato-Tainui CEO Donna Flavell
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The striking new regional offices
developed by Tainui Group Holdings for
the Accident Compensation Corporation
(ACC) were recently opened.
Kiingi Tuheitia also
unveiled the new
name for the building
- Amohia Ake. The name
takes its significance from a
Waikato-Tainui tongikura
(saying), “Amohia ake te ora o
te iwi, ka puta ki te whei ao -
the wellbeing of the people is
paramount.”
The 8,500 square metre
offices, in three distinctive
pavilions bearing Waikato-Tainui
tribal designs, will
initially accommodate around
800 ACC staff, bringing
together two existing Hamilton
offices for ACC.
Te Whakakitenga o
Waikato, the Waikato-Tainui
parliament chair Parekawhia
McLean says the new home
for ACC in Hamilton is a
case study in the successful
commercial development of
whenua that came back to the
iwi through the 1995 settlement
process, and will produce
benefits for all.
“Waikato-Tainui has
proudly developed this whare
as a long-term home for the
hard-working kaimahi (staff)
of ACC in a way that benefits
ACC, Hamilton, our wider
region and Waikato-Tainui
itself.”
Ownership of the underlying
whenua, which is a former
maara kai or vegetable
garden in pre-colonial days is
retained by Waikato-Tainui,
with ACC taking a long-term
lease over the new offices.
The Minister for ACC
Peeni Henare says this is a
significant development for
both Waikato-Tainui and
ACC.
“I’m delighted to see the
culmination of this iwi and
crown partnership and the
vibrancy this will bring to the
local CBD in the post-COVID
era.”
ACC chief executive Megan
Main says the new office provides
an opportunity for ACC
kaimahi to work together in
the CBD.
“This new long-term home
brings together around 800
people who were previously
working from two offices. The
new space is in the heart of
this important community,
close to transport links and
provides a great base for our
work to improve lives every
day.”
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WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 NEW HOME FOR ACC 25
Proud to supply
some of the
Aluminium Joinery
for ACC’s
new home.
Also present at the karakia
and opening alongside Kiingi
Tuheitia were Hon. Nanaia
Mahuta, ACC Chair Hon.
Steve Maharey, ACC CEO
Megan Main and Andrew
Milne, Deputy Chief Executive,
Strategy, Engagement
and Planning, along with
TGH Chair, Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua,
TGH CEO, Chris
Joblin and around 130 guests.
J2429P
Regal Joinery
102 Kent St Hamilton
Phone: 07-847 9882
regal.joinery@xtra.co.nz

26 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
PwC’s annual CEO survey
Over the past few years, adapting to change and volatility
has become a constant and we’ve already seen that play
out this year, with the disruption caused by the Auckland
floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. These events are set against
a backdrop of other immediate issues such as higher
inflation, the threat of recession, continued supply chain
challenges and ongoing labour and skills shortages.
Results from PwC’s
annual CEO Survey
show that these
concerns are dominating the
CEO agenda as leaders look to
drive profitability in the face of
numerous headwinds.
To help navigate this we
can use insights from the
2023 PwC CEO survey, which
collected data from almost
5,000 CEOs in 105 countries
and territories, including 142
Aotearoa New Zealand CEOs.
Here we explore key areas of
prioritisation identified in the
survey and how businesses can
apply the insights.
Digital Transformation
Survey results show that CEOs
are investing in technology
to transform their businesses
and ensure long-term growth
and prosperity. In Aotearoa
New Zealand there is a particular
focus on new technologies,
such as cloud, automation
and artificial intelligence (AI).
When it comes to technology,
the majority of business leaders
are making investments
with an emphasis on reinventing,
rather than just maintaining
their current business
(63% compared to 37%).
Sustainability & ESG
When the survey was conducted
in late 2022, CEOs in
Aotearoa New Zealand were
more focused on their economic
environment with only
8% feeling extremely or highly
exposed to climate change.
When asked about actions their
company has taken to prepare
for climate risk, the focus is
firmly on implementing initiatives,
innovating products
and processes, and developing
a strategy. Applying an internal
price on carbon in decision-making
is at the bottom of
the table, with 61% saying they
have no plan to do it. However,
companies need to understand
the importance of factoring an
internal price on carbon, which
is essential for organisations
to adequately anticipate and
manage the risks of the transition
to a zero carbon economy.
Innovation
Businesses are adopting a culture
of innovation to continue
to be ahead of competitors and
respond to customers’ changing
needs. The survey shows
that CEOs are investing in
research and development,
collaborating with partners
and leveraging emerging technologies
to achieve this, driving
growth and differentiation.
Talent and Culture
This remains an ongoing challenge
for businesses, particularly
in the tech space and
healthcare industry, with a
high demand for skilled workers.
There is an opportunity for
CEOs to think about how they
can best use technology, such
as automation, alongside their
employees to ease the pressure
BUSINESS IN
THE WAIKATO
BY MARK MCCABE
Managing Partner, PwC
and drive longer-term transformation.
The survey showed
that 86% of NZ CEOs are
investing in upskilling their
workforce in the next year, and
92% are developing leadership
and talent to drive the productivity
of their workforce in the
next 12 months. A further 83%
are planning to upskill and
reskill their employees.
Learn more about what’s on
the minds of CEOs in Aotearoa
New Zealand at www.pwc.
co.nz/insights-and-publications/ceo-survey/
ceo-survey-2023
Waikato Business Awards launch
event showcases last year’s winners
The Waikato Chamber of
Commerce Business Awards
recently opened at an official
launch at 2022 supreme winner
Profile Group’s PPL site in Te Rapa.
Applications for the prestigious
awards are now open, and aspiring
businesses and individuals have until
midday Friday, June 30 to submit
their written entry highlighting the
strengths and achievements of their
business. Attendees at the launch
event heard from 2022 winners
including Supreme Award winner
Profile Group and Emerging Leader
winner Jo Franzen.
Chamber CEO Don Good says he
was always impressed by the region’s
innovative and high-performance
business spirit that shone through in
the awards.
“The awards are a superb opportunity
for businesses to increase their
exposure, and receive professional
insights and recommendations on
their strategy.”
Entrants receive detailed feedback
from the judge's assessment, which
can then be used to grow, develop and
improve their business.
“Every year we hear from entrants
about how beneficial that feedback is
from the judges,” Good says.
The judging team of more than
30 Waikato business leaders, headed
by the University of Waikato’s Dr
Heather Connolly, reviews each application
before selecting who will progress
to stage two.
Stage two involves a two-hour site
visit with judges asking questions
about the application and the business.
Finalists will then be selected,
with the winners of each category
announced at a Gala Dinner on Friday,
November 17.
The chamber will host drop-in info
sessions for people wanting to know
more about the entry process. These
will take place on Friday, May 26 and
Friday, June 23 and are open to everyone.
Attendees will receive guidance
on how to write an impressive application
and learn what stands out to
the judges.
For more information about
entering the awards or to register
to attend the drop-in sessions,
visit www.waikatochamber.co.nz/
business-awards-2023/
Barry Soper
Lunch with Barry Soper
They say politics and
business don’t mix.
But it’s election year,
and chances are the 2023
General Election - scheduled
for Saturday October 14 -
will impact us all, one way or
another.
There is the excitement of
the campaign, the spectacle
of waving signs on the side of
the road and live debates, new
policy statements and bold
promises, and a lot of media
coverage.
Then the result, with the
potential to change people’s
lives and livelihoods.
What can the business
community expect from this
election?
To get some insights into
the process, veteran political
journalist Barry Soper is coming
to Hamilton for an exclusive
lunch event on Wednesday
May 31, organised by the Public
Relations Institute of New
Zealand (PRINZ) and the Institute
of Directors (IoD) Waikato
committees.
As the longest serving
member in the Parliamentary
Press Gallery, Barry has
a unique behind-the-scenes
view on politics gleaned from
decades of reporting on prime
ministers, world leaders and
politics.
Barry is currently political
editor at NewsTalk ZB, and is
a frequent political commentator
on television.
He began his career in the
1970s working for The Southland
Times, and has also
worked for Otago Daily Times,
Waikato Times and APN. He
moved to broadcast media,
then parliamentary reporting
and served an unprecedented
three terms as chairman of the
press gallery.
Through his work, Barry
has got to know and travelled
with many of our Prime Ministers,
starting with Sir Robert
Muldoon, followed by David
Lange, Geoffrey Palmer, Mike
Moore, Jim Bolger, Jenny
Shipley, Helen Clark, John
Key, Bill English, Jacinda Ardern
and current PM Chris Hipkins
(Barry’s 11th PM).
So, what can we expect
in the lead up to the October
elections?
Come along and hear
from Barry as he dishes up
his opinions and insights
over lunch in a light-hearted
presentation.
Astute and witty, with a
great sense of humour, Barry’s
event is a must-attend for
Waikato business people and
community leaders and is open
to anyone.
The event, 2023 General
Election: insights and observations
from Barry Soper, will
be held at the FMG stadium,
from 11.30am to 1.30pm on
Wednesday, May 31.
The ticket price of $89+GST
includes delicious grazing
platter food, with all dietary
requirements catered for.
There will be a cash bar available,
and free parking on site.
Please register either
through the PRINZ website
(www.prinz.org.nz) or via the
Institute of Directors website
(www.iod.org.nz) under the
Events tab.

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 27
Waikato housing market insights
with Kiwibank chief economist
Waikato house prices are expected to
stabilise over the next year or two, and
home loan rates will start falling by the
end of 2023, according to Kiwibank
economist Jarrod Kerr.
Speaking at a recent
event hosted by Waikato
Real Estate, Kerr
explained that global inflation
had peaked and was declining,
which would help bring New
Zealand’s inflation under
control. He says around half
of the inflation experienced in
New Zealand was coming from
offshore, so it was essential to
examine what was happening
globally.
He added that domestic
inflation was mainly driven
by the cost of building houses,
which had gone up by 20-30%
in recent years.
The Waikato housing
market is of great interest to
Waikato Real Estate, a local
and family-owned Property
Management company led by
Michelle Pearson.
“We are managing a portfolio
of over 1,200 properties in
the greater Hamilton area, so
working alongside our property
owners to understand
Kiwibank economist
Jarrod Kerr
market conditions is key
to their success and ours,”
Michelle says.
During the discussion, Kerr
also highlighted that there was
a good chance New Zealand
had already entered a technical
recession. He pointed
out that the fourth quarter of
2022 had seen a contraction of
0.6%, which could lead to two
quarterly contractions, which
technically means a recession.
He warned that the worst of
the recession could still be yet
to come, as the Reserve Bank
of New Zealand and Treasury
were forecasting a recession to
begin in the middle of 2023.
Kerr also spoke about the
outlook for builders and developers,
who were facing high
borrowing and material costs
and high wages. He says the
industry was likely to experience
a massive ramp-up in
construction followed by a significant
slowdown, as has been
the trend in New Zealand in
the past. However, he added
the Hawkes Bay rebuild, which
was expected to begin soon,
could slow down the process.
Increased regulation
around owning rental properties
was discussed. Kerr says
the RBNZ’s introduction of
Michelle Pearson
Debt-to-Income rules, slated
for April 2024, are a possible
disruptor and something
property investors should keep
an eye on.
When asked by the audience
what he would do if his
mortgage was coming off a
fixed rate. Jarrod pointed out
that he cannot provide financial
advice but can share what
he does himself. Recently,
he had a loan to re-fix and he
opted to split up the loan and
fixed for a short period only,
feeling that interest rates
will fall towards the end of
the year.
Create a culture of content to build trust
Every business has a
story to tell, knowledge
to share and news about
what is happening within the
company or organisation.
From a florist to a lawyer, to a
hotel, each has their own niche
to discuss with their current
and potential customers.
Putting this knowledge and
news down on ‘paper,’ and
publishing it on your owned
channels (website, e-newsletter,
social media etc.), is a great
way to inform and get potential
customers over the line, especially
if your goods or services
require due diligence on the
customer’s part or are linked
to significant decision-making.
Customers might use a blog
you’ve written or a ‘how-to’
video you’ve created to decide
which product options work
best for them, different ways
to use a product, or learn about
services you offer that they
don’t currently use.
Moreso than ever before,
customers do their due diligence
online and want to first
trust you before they will buy
from you. That’s why your business
must continually develop
and promote content –articles,
tip sheets, how-to videos, slide
shows, podcasts - to showcase
your experience and build that
trust over the long-term.
Developing content – and
‘giving’ it away for free – is also
PR AND
COMMUNICATIONS
BY HEATHER CLAYCOMB
Heather Claycomb is director
of HMC, a Hamilton-based,
award-winning public
relations agency.
an excellent way to build the
profile (and trustworthiness) of
your employees and leadership
team.
Getting started
Your website is the first and
most important place to house
content, so this needs to be up
to scratch. An important starting
point is creating a content
hub where news, articles, videos,
podcast episodes, PDFs
for download, infographics and
more can be regularly uploaded
to one singular place (usually a
tab on your main menu).
Your goal is going to be
to drive people back to that
content over and over again
through all your company’s
communications channels.
And when the content is good,
each time your audience visits,
you’ll put a deposit in the trust
bank.
Keeping it going
You really need to think about
how you can create a culture of
content in your business. Try to
make best practice communication
one of your key business
values and start sharing your
news, knowledge and expertise
with your audiences.
Making content creation
part of your organisational
culture will make it easier to
commit to regularly populating
your content hub and sharing
that content in different ways
through each channel under
your control.
Here are three ways to stay
on track and committed to
ongoing content creation:
Reminders: You could
set a reminder each month
to make sure you set aside
an hour to put something
together.
Involve others: Perhaps
there is a reliable staff member
who could be put in
charge of the task of seeking
out content ideas. We’d definitely
encourage getting as
many of the team involved
as possible; this means more
ideas and it can be a morale
boost to reflect on team
successes and demonstrate
their knowledge.
Plan: Another way to keep
yourself committed is by
laying out a quarterly calendar,
with key topics for
each month and team members
assigned to each action.
Include goals and measurables
in your plan so you can
stay on track.
If you need some ideas of
what content to develop or need
a starting point for your blog or
articles, try ChatGPT for some
thought-starters.
Tools that will help
We encourage our clients to
move beyond the written word,
and there are a range of tools
that can help you create something
visual without the help of
a graphic designer. Canva.com
is a great place to start for this,
where you can presentations,
slide shows, charts, infographics,
social media imagery and
more.
Others to try include: Lemonly.com
for infographics and
CapCut.com video maker. And
give an AI image generator a try,
for instance OpenAI’s Dall-E.
There are a range of tools
out there to help make the content
creation job easier.
Our team
DESIGNER
Kelly Gillespie
kelly@dpmedia.co.nz
DESIGNER
Warren Gilberston
design@dpmedia.co.nz
EDITORIAL
Janine Jackson
editor@dpmedia.co.nz
ADVERTISING
MANAGER
Joanne Poole
Ph: (07) 838 1333
Mob: (021) 507 991
joanne@dpmedia.co.nz
PUBLISHER
Deidre Morris
Ph: (07) 838 1333
Mob: 027 228 8442
deidre@dpmedia.co.nz
•••
STUDIO
Copy/Proofs:
studio@dpmedia.co.nz
SUBSCRIPTIONS
accounts@dpmedia.co.nz
131 Victoria Street, Hamilton
Ph: (07) 838 1333
www.wbn.co.nz
-
www.dpmedia.co.nz

28 CRAIGS INVESTMENT PARTNERS WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
Craigs Investment
Partners open office
at Union Square
Craigs Investment Partners (Craigs)
has opened the doors to its newly
appointed office in Hamilton’s Union
Square development.
One of New Zealand’s
leading investment
advisory firms, Craigs
says the new space allows for
the continued growth of its
advisory and client base, and
signals its ongoing commitment
to Hamilton’s CBD and
the greater Waikato region.
“Craigs has been a part
of the Hamilton community
since it first opened its doors
here in 1995. In the mid-nineties,
the demutualisation of
insurance and power companies
led to many New Zealanders
owning shares for the first
time. Craigs & Co. had queues
down the street, with people
eager to enlist the support of
sound financial advice,” says
Craigs’ Investment Adviser
Stuart Anderson.
Since then, the Hamilton
branch has grown to a team
of more than 30 advisers and
support staff, servicing close
to 6,000 client relationships in
the region with over $2 billion
in funds under management.
“The Hamilton branch
plays an active role in the
Waikato community, many
advisers are involved with
community organisations,
recognising the importance
of giving back to their local
area,” says Anderson.
People-centric design
The Union Square development
is a people-focused project
designed to encourage
activity back into the CBD,
and the Craigs’ office includes
several features designed to
enhance employee and client
experience.
Craigs engaged Jigsaw
Architects (Jigsaw) to come
up with a flagship design
concept that could be progressively
rolled out to its nationwide
network of branches,
overlayed with a local sense of
place.
“Our brief was to design
a space that achieved a high
value outcome for both clients
and employees, recognising
the esteem that Craigs is held
in, and celebrating its financial,
social and environmental
success,” says Registered
Architect and Jigsaw Director
Lance Adolph.
“To achieve this, we utilised
spatial planning to maximise
daylight and long external
views. Quality materials
and unique design elements
were thoughtfully incorporated
to promote a sense of
optimism and local identity.”
Design factors were used to
support employee health and
wellbeing, and meet the functional
needs of the space. Care
was given to ensure a balance
of visibility, security and connection
between staff and client
spaces.
“The office features an
employee wellness room,
ergonomic considerations
throughout, and a wellequipped
lunchroom complete
with fresh herb garden.
An emphasis on natural
materials, good access to daylight
and integrated artworks
combine to make it a place
employees want to be,” says
Anderson.
“For our team and our clients,
we’ve included a library
stocked with investment publications.
Investor education is
a cornerstone of our business.
Each of our clients comes to
us with unique circumstances
and investment goals. We
work in partnership with them
to provide advice tailored to
Craigs' Hamilton team
in their new office
their personal needs, backed
by extensive research. The
investment library is an extension
of our commitment to
build our clients’ knowledge
and confidence as investors.
We want our new branch to
be an ‘Investment Centre for
Excellence’, and building our
advisers’ and clients’ knowledge
will always be at the forefront
of what we do.”
Adolph says the Craigs
office exemplifies a shift in
expectation around office
spaces. “Health and wellbeing
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
Everyone’s investment story is different.
We can help you with yours.
Visit us at our new address:
Level 2, 32 Hood Street, Hamilton
P: 07 838 1818 | E: hamilton@craigsip.com
craigsip.com
Craigs Investment Partners Limited is a NZX Participant firm. The Craigs Investment Partners Limited Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement can be viewed at
craigsip.com/tcs. Please visit craigsip.com.

Alaska delivers high-end fitout for Craigs
Investment Partners’ Union Square offices
Multi award-winning construction and
fitout company Alaska has brought their
expertise to the new Craigs Investment
Partners’ offices in Union Square.
Joining other blue-chip
organisations such as
Rabobank and AA Insurance
Service Centre, BBO and
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, it
was important to Craigs IP that
they created an office space to
match the landmark building,
while enhancing employee and
client experience.
Alaska director Liam
Osborne says the team oversaw
every detail of the build portion
of the project from inception to
completion, and in a very short
timeframe.
“It was a reasonably tight
programme, with a start date
just prior to Christmas, in order
to get the Craigs team into the
new spaces, as they had to move
out of their existing office by
late March.”
Liam describes the project
as high-end with lots of spaces
for client meetings with AV
and acoustic requirements, an
appealing cafeteria space positioned
on the level three corner
of the building and a bespoke
board room and reception area.
A job of this calibre meant
getting the best contractors at
the right price and Alaska has
experience in droves when it
comes to managing premium
office fitouts.
“As the main contractor,
we managed the build; from
obtaining pricing from all sub
trades and suppliers, negotiating
and letting the contracts
with them when the job was
awarded, and managing them
throughout the programme to
when we handed over the job
on time to Craigs,” Liam says.
Led by Liam as the contracts
manager, the project was
backed up by project manager
Matthew Wade running the
day-to-day site management
and quantity surveyor John Lillywhite
controlling all the costs
and awarding contracts.
With over 20 different contractors
to manage, it takes the
experience of a team like Alaska
to execute the visionary design
and architecture of this project.
Most of those contractors
are based in the Waikato,
including FB Hall Plumbing,
Zero Fire, Feist Electrical, Van
Dykes Flooring, Waikato Decorators,
CM Glassware, Impact
Tiling.
“I’d say 70 per cent of the
contractors on this job are
Waikato based,” he says.
The construction industry is
always fraught with challenges,
and Liam says they had to work
around some of their Auckland-based
contractors who
were impacted by the recent
floods.
Alaska is not new to working
in the Waikato, with a number
of quality builds and fitouts in
their portfolio, including Tainui
Group Holdings projects, Cambridge
Police Hub new build,
Hancocks Forestry Management’s
new Tokoroa office
build, IR Fitout in Hamilton,
KMPG offices and CTEK.
“We’ve been very active
in Hamilton and the wider
Waikato over the past ten
years.”
Building relationships and
connections is an important
part of being active in the
industry for the 17 years Alaska
has been operating.
“There are projects that have
presented opportunities, as well
as some repeat clients. We have
quite a lot of repeat business in
the Waikato,” Liam says.
Kiwi owned and operated
with offices in Auckland, Hamilton,
Tauranga, Wellington,
Christchurch, Queenstown and
Invercargill, Alaska has been
delivering excellence since
2006.
Alaska is known for their
‘user friendly’ approach and
delivering on time, on budget,
every time.

30 CRAIGS INVESTMENT PARTNERS WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023
Craigs Investment
Partners open office
at Union Square
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FROM PAGE 28
continue to gain a stronger
emphasis as companies
increasingly embrace the
triple bottom line – especially
when they can see real
benefits through improved
employee engagement and client
satisfaction.”
For Craigs’ Investment
Adviser Laura Thomas, the
move has been invigorating.
“Walking into the office
felt like my third ‘first day’ at
Craigs,” says Thomas, who
was employed as an assistant
and then associate, before
leaving to further her financial
management career in the UK,
and then returning in 2021 to
become an adviser.
“We are loving having more
space to host events and grow
the business. We have already
hosted a Young Professionals
event and will welcome Chamber
members for an event
in June. The office is warm
and inviting, and extremely
user-friendly with client and
employee carparking, and
plenty of meeting spaces all
equipped with screen technology
for video calls.
“Craigs has been a supportive
place to work, providing
training and promotion
opportunities, and leaving the
door open for me to return
after my travel. As an investment
adviser you can have
a big impact in your client’s
lives. I am supported by our
research and administrative
teams to give my clients the
best chance of success. The
new office space feels like
another string in the bow for
our client offering.
“Craigs has grown quickly,
and we have needed to
embrace new systems and
technology to accommodate
that growth, but at our heart
we are a grassroots company
with deep ties to our
community. I think our new
office reflects that.”
Sustainable choices
Architects are seeing a higher
awareness and desire for
sustainable outcomes, says
Adolph, as companies like
Craigs look to reduce the environmental
impacts of their
operations.
“In the Craigs office, we
have favoured materials with
green certification, some
achieving a full lifecycle cradle-to-cradle
loop. Lighting is
on tighter zone circuits, utilising
daylight harvesting and
occupancy sensors for reduced
energy consumption. There
are a number of timbers in
play in the office, celebrating
the natural environment while
providing a higher carbon sink
than more highly processed
materials,” he says.
Local connections
Jigsaw’s concept referenced
local iconic bridge structures
and materials into the design
language. “With their strong
relationship to the Waikato
River, the industrial form
of these bridges represents
a sense of connection and
opportunity for the region.
Abstracting these for material
and geometry design language
provided the perfect
analogy for Craigs’ connection
to Hamilton and the greater
Waikato,” says Adolph. The
Craigs’ Hamilton branch services
clients as far as Pukekohe,
Raglan, Coromandel
and Taumarunui.
The local references continue
in the lunchroom, where
a commissioned artwork by
Ben Bartels, the brother of
Craigs Investment Adviser
Nick Bartels, is on display.
The mural is a celebration of
the Waikato, featuring hot air
balloons, the Fairfield Bridge,
The Rocky Horror Picture
Show, the Raglan surf break,
Hobbiton, and more.
The reception area features
a topographical map of
New Zealand made by Jonty
McCool, son of retired adviser
Johnny McCool. Made from
totora, the map identifies
Craigs’ 19 offices throughout
the county and will be
installed in each office over
time.
Adolph says the reception
area is the part of the space
that excites him the most.
“The combination of materials
and spatial configuration
are really successful. This is
a space with strong textured
surfaces and spatial layering,
resulting in in a depth of experience
which would not have
been achieved with a generic
design response.”
The nature of investing
Another notable artwork commissioned
for the office is a
bull and bear feature across
staff lockers, representing the
cyclical nature of investment
with a rising ‘bull market’ and
a falling ‘bear market’. Framed
newspaper clippings further
tell the story of market ups
and downs over time – major
floats and market corrections
– where Craigs’ advice was
sought by local journalists.
Anderson says the installations
are a nod to the company’s
history and influence, and
provide reassurance through
current market conditions.
“Market corrections are a normal
part of the investment
cycle. It helps for our clients
to know that their adviser will
have navigated periods like
this before, probably more
than once. That reassurance
can help investors stay the
course to realise their objectives
in the long-term.”

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, APRIL/MAY 2023 31
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