July 2023 - Bay of Plenty Business News

7
YEARS OF PROGRESS
JULY 2023 VOLUME 7: ISSUE 7
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
LIC REA 2008
Bay of Plenty Business
News this month celebrates
seven years of publishing. We
had a look through the archives
to see what we’ve covered over
the seven years – the results
were surprising. We also invited a
selection of other successful Bay
businesses to talk to us about their
growth paths ... see pages 6-10
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2 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
THE PORTER REPORT
A monthly update on the business
world from leading writer David Porter
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Going up in smoke
A
paean, or song of praise,
for our large neighbour
across the Tasman.
Recently the Australian government
decided enough was
enough and introduced a range
of new restrictions on vapes.
Despite them already being
illegal for many, under new
legislation they would become
available by prescription only.
But New Zealand, despite
its generally good record of
being at the forefront of health
and social policy change, has
so far declined to take effective
action against vaping.
Vaping supporters have
long argued that the e-cigarettes
help people to quit
smoking. And I have family
members now who have
switched to vapes to reduce
their smoking and are pleased
with their decisions.
The reality is cigarette
sales have steadily gone down
largely as a result of growing
awareness of their health dangers,
government restrictions,
and negative reporting of the
danger they pose.
As a result, ‘Big Tobacco’
– the major tobacco corporates
– have increasingly switched
to vapes with their attractive
candy colours and appealing
flavours to attract younger
people who no longer wish to
smoke cigarettes.
But Australia’s government
said evidence that e-cigarettes
help smokers quit was insufficient
for now. Instead, research
showed it could push young
vapers into taking up smoking
later in life.
A key reason is that vapes
usually contain a high percentage
of nicotine, known to be
a key addictive substance. As
Philip Morris principal scientist
WL Dunn said in 1972,
“No one has ever become a
cigarette smoker by smoking
cigarettes without nicotine,”
according to online site Truth
Initiative.
Recovery efforts
To declare a personal interest:
I am a recovered smoker and
have managed to maintain
that status for a few years by
keeping in mind that I’m only
a couple of cigarettes away
from a return of the habit – as
I proved to myself by many
failed quitting attempts over
previous years.
In my defence, I grew up in
an era when members of my
family smoked, public places
were smoke-filled, and cafes
and restaurants were replete
with ashtrays piled with smouldering
butts.
Still, all kudos to Australia.
In fact worldwide, depending
which list you read, and allowing
for the fact that smugglers
defeat many countries’ best
intentions, as many as 40 or
so countries worldwide have
already banned vaping.
I have considerable sympathy
for the hard-pressed small
dairies of our towns, which are
already in many cases trying
to survive a flurry of ram raids
by school-age offenders. Many
shops have now maxed out on
vaping products and reduced
their sales of cigarettes. And
I’m concerned at the considerable
proliferation of vape specialty
shops in our towns and
cities.
Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are
basically lithium battery-powered
devices that have cartridges
filled with liquids
containing nicotine, artificial
flavourings, and other chemicals.
When the liquid is heated
it gives off a vapour that is
inhaled into the smoker’s
lungs.
As any observer knows, we
are talking about a considerable
volume of smoke. Even
those of us who are not especially
scientific, can conclude
that the ingestion of that much
smoke – however cutely flavoured
– is unlikely to be beneficial
to the health of users or
bystanders.
Paralleling the slow decline
David Porter
in tobacco product sales, vaping
took off from the mid-
2000s and there were some 81
million vapers worldwide in
2021, according to the Global
State of Tobacco Harm Reduction
group.
Accelerating the rise was
the growing popularity of the
flavoured vapes designed specifically
to appeal to the young.
As is evident in the spate of
media coverage on the issue,
vapes are causing a problem
as a result of their growing and
overt usage in New Zealand
schools.
The various nicotine
gums and other paraphernalia
designed to help people quit
smoking are not wildly successful.
No surprise then that
big tobacco – already a veteran
of marketing, with worldwide
manufacturing and retail distribution
expertise – has ramped
up production and distribution
of its ‘fun’ electronic device.
But please be aware that
this could ultimately prove to
encourage an even more addictive
and potentially lethal habit
than tobacco.
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July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 3
Activities mark start of
indigenous New Year
EXPERIENCE
CELEBRATING THE MĀORI NEW YEAR
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is being heralded a month earlier in the Coastal Bay of Plenty
region, compared to other parts of the country, due to its eastern location and local traditions.
Master celestial navigator Jack
Thatcher has been leading a
series of free pre-dawn hikoi
to the summit of the region’s most
significant landmark, Mauao (Mount
Maunganui), to view the appearance
of the Matariki star cluster.
A 24-page guide has also been
released, highlighting all the ways
locals and visitors can celebrate this
important annual occasion.
Foodie enthusiast Stacey Jones
says kai (food) plays an important
role in Matariki gatherings, as
whanāu gather to remember loved
ones who have passed away, whilst
also celebrating the present and looking
forward to the future.
The Experience Matariki guide,
produced by Tourism Bay of Plenty,
deliberately highlights food producers
and local eatery dishes which have
an indigenous link or focus.
“We’ve engaged well-known
Māori culinary experts Kasey and
Kārena Bird, who explain how to
forage for essential ingredients like
kawakawa, pūhā, and ureure, and
who also share their delectable pickled
tuatua on fried bread recipe,” Stacey
says.
“The guide gives advice on how to
spot the Matariki stars. It also showcases
a range of nature-focused activity
options, which families or friends
can do in the day or at night.”
Kasey and Kārena Bird forage for kawakawa
as they prepare to celebrate Matariki.
It’s the first time Tourism Bay
of Plenty has created the Experience
Matariki guide, and anyone
who downloads the digital version
from www.bayofplentynz.com can
also enter a draw to win an enticing
prize.
The winning package includes a
two-night stay at Watercliff, a cultural
experience with Mauao Adventures,
and an Izakai Bar and Eatery dining
voucher.
“Each of these businesses understands
the ethos of Te Ao Māori and
that’s why we’ve included them in
EXPLORE
CULTURAL
TRADITIONS
EXPERIENCE
STARLIT
ADVENTURES
FORAGING &
FEASTING
The Experience Matariki guide can be
viewed and downloaded from our
website: www.bayofplentynz.com.
our inaugural Matariki guide,” says
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager
Oscar Nathan.
“Matariki occurs at the coldest
time of the year, traditionally once
the harvest has been completed, so
we want to encourage people to relax
and prioritise spending their time with
the people who are most important to
them.
“It’s exciting to see how Matariki
is now being more widely acknowledged
and celebrated across the country
and our destination management
organisation is very keen to support
this,” he says.
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4 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
NZ’s largest free STEM festival returns
Since 2018 STEMFest has been nurturing our region’s next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and leaders and this year the interactive
festival is set to break new ground when it launches in October. Founder Tia Lush says the festival has even bigger goals for 2023.
the past six years we
have been rapidly growing
“Over
the festival with more and
more offerings to inspire and engage
our young people and their families.
This year we are excited to be working
on an even bigger festival that will
showcase the opportunities and latest
advancements in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.”
Tia says the festival plays a vital
role in engaging young people in critical
sectors of our economy and by
doing so helps address the predicted
future skills shortage.
“There is a global shortage of people
becoming scientists, technologists,
engineers, and mathematicians. This
will ultimately result in a shortage
of future problem solvers. STEM-
Fest aims to address this by inspiring,
empowering and nurturing a new
generation of young people in these
fields.”
With over 10,000 free tickets
issued last year, STEMFest 2023 is
looking forward to breaking new
attendance records with the release,
today, of tickets.
“Each year we have seen an
increasing number of families from
Auckland, Waikato and across the
North and South Island come to attend
STEMFest. This year, from the interest
we have already had to date, we are
excited. Ultimately our vision is to
become the ‘Field days of STEM’ and
in doing so really shine a light on vital
career paths by engaging our future
problem solvers in some amazing and
fun hands-on experiments.”
Billed as a blockbuster interactive
FREE TICKETS
for STEMFest are
now available.
Sign up on
the website
www.stemfest.nz
to receive
information and
ticket release
announcements.
event for all ages, STEMFest 2023
will take place on Sunday October
1 st . With an already strong STEM
knowledge base in the Bay of Plenty
region, the festival will showcase this
with an exciting line-up of exhibitors
and interactive elements, including
animal dissections, rockets, robotics,
smoothie bikes, fossils, building activities
and much more!
With its aim to bolster the STEM
sector, this year’s festival has also
attracted some heavy-hitting support
from headline sponsor Manawa
Energy, alongside local business
pillars Zespri, Ballance and Sharp
Tudhope.
Communications and Community
Engagement Advisor at Manawa
Energy, Annie Tangata, says it’s a
natural and important fit for them to
support STEMFest.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.
For us at Manawa Energy, STEM-
Fest is about showcasing some of the
awesome opportunities out there in
the world of STEM and renewable
energy. We’re stoked to be back again
this year for the biggest STEMFest
yet.”
Zespri has been a part of the festival
since 2019, backing STEM Wana’s
ambition to inspire the next generation
of innovators and sharing delicious
nutritious kiwifruit for a day’s learning,
experimenting and discovery.
“It’s great to take part in such an
engaging and educational community
event and be involved in our local
STEM community to sustain and
grow its future, something that we can
all benefit from.” says Assistant Innovation
Specialist Brooke Maddison.
The event is also supported by
Tourism Bay of Plenty, the University
of Waikato and TECT who all see it as
a vital event for the region.
Tia says STEMFest is purposefully
scheduled for the second weekend of
the October school holidays allowing
out of town families to also attend.
“What a great way for families to
combine a holiday break in our beautiful
region with some engaging and
highly interactive fun and learning at
STEMFest. We can’t wait to gather
New Zealand’s future problem solvers
together for some hands-on experiments
and a celebration of STEM.”
Prior to STEMFest the organisation
continues to promote awareness
of opportunities in STEM to young
people and their families through
community events, collaborations,
and meaningful partnerships with
STEM in the Community activations
run by STEM Wana Trust, including
an outreach programme for schools in
the Bay of Plenty area.
Some tough calls to come
in the city’s long-term plan
Last month we started to focus in earnest on the city’s draft 2024-
34 long-term plan (LTP) and it’s already evident that there will be
some tough calls for the Commission to make.
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By ANNE TOLLEY,
Tauranga Commission Chair
Since our last LTP,
the cost of living has
increased significantly
and that puts even
more pressure on us to keep
rates costs affordable. From
the Council’s perspective,
increased construction costs,
higher interest rates and the
general impact of inflation
on our activities mean that
the cost of delivering the Anne Tolley
LTP adopted two years ago
and maintaining our current levels of service
has increased significantly.
We still need to invest in the infrastructure
our growing city needs, and increasingly, in
our resilience against climate change impacts
such as the extreme storms, flooding and
storm surges we’re experiencing across the
country. We also need to be realistic about
what we can afford to do in the current economic
situation. That will require a tough
reassessment of our priorities, with a focus
on delivering the key projects now underway,
like the Cameron Road urban transformation
project, the Papamoa East Interchange and the
work to revitalise our city centre.
Some of our previously planned capital
investment projects will need to be refined
or delayed, because capital does have a
direct effect on our operating costs. That
means some things we had intended to do in
the next decade may have to wait a bit longer
than anticipated, with our capital programme
honed down to a level we know we
can afford and that we have the capacity to
deliver. The likely spend will need to reduce
to around $400 million a year for the next few
years, rather than the $500-
plus million that would be
required to deliver on all
of the city’s aspirations and
growth needs.
Of course we also need to
maintain our existing assets
and deliver the quality services
the city relies upon,
and while that requires ‘business
as usual’ to continue,
we will be doing everything
we can to do more with the
resources we have.
We know that this is a
hard time to talk about the
investing in Tauranga when the cost of living
is at the front of everyone’s minds, but
the reality is that we will pay in other ways if
we don’t proceed with the infrastructure and
facility improvements the city needs to stay
safe and functional and be the great place to
live, learn, work and play.
This underlines the importance of our
discussions with political parties leading up
to the General Election. The rating model is
simply inadequate for a rapidly growing city,
and together with our fellow metro cities, we
continue to press for partnerships with central
Government to fund growth infrastructure.
In the meantime, we look forward to
bringing together the draft long-term plan and
to engaging with the community and business
sector later this year to check whether you
think we’ve got the priorities right.
We’re planning to start the formal LTP
consultation process in November, with submission
hearings in December. Deliberations
and adoption of the final LTP would then take
place by April 2024, so that we have a resilient
and workable plan in place ready for the
next elected council to take forward.

July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 5
The rise of toxic consistency:
ARE YOUR HABITS RUINING YOUR CAREER?
Consistency is key. Or so we are led to believe. But what if ‘consistency’ is just another
LinkedIn buzzword for ‘timewasting’? It’s time to discover whether the phenomenon of
‘Toxic Consistency’ could trap you in a habit of missing out on what you deserve.
MINING BUSINESS WEALTH
> BY FREDDIE BENNETT
Guinness World Record Holder, podcast host and bestselling author, Freddie is known as ‘The
Profit Hunter’. He helps business owners enjoy more time, money and freedom by discovering
and extracting hidden profits in their companies. Freddie@conqueryourmedia.com
‘Mr Consistent’. That’s what they
called me.
• Consistently waking up at 4:30am.
• Consistently running 15km every
day.
• Consistently answering my client’s
requests.
• Consistently there for my kid’s
activities.
• Consistently managing household
chores.
• Consistently keeping on top of my
inbox.
• Consistently collapsing on the
couch with Netflix and a bottle of
Shiraz every night.
• Consistently getting it done.
I knew what I was doing. After all,
I’d read books like Atomic Habits and
7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I
thought consistency would bring me
success.
What did consistency actually
bring me? Covid. Followed by burnout.
Served with a side-order of sleeping
pills for insomnia.
My consistent habits had delivered
a toxic impact upon my life.
So-called experts (usually with a
book on ‘habit forming’ to sell) love
to shout about the supposed benefits
of consistent habits.
But as I lay in bed, with that
oh-so-familiar feeling of a nostril
impaled by a RAT test cocktail stick,
I started to doubt that ‘consistent habits’
were improving my life.
Perhaps we’re doing this all
wrong.
In a world of chaos, who says consistency
is the answer?
Consistency leads to rigidity
We all know the story of the drowning
man who refused the lifeline,
the lifeguard, then the rescue helicopter,
because he was consistent in
his belief that a higher power would
come to save him. Daisy the Great
White Shark would be the only winner
in that scenario.
Developing strong habits can lead
to resistance when faced with change
or adapting to new circumstances.
In a rapidly evolving business
landscape, being overly tied to certain
routines and habits can hinder flexibility
and innovation. I don’t exactly
have a crystal ball, but I’d wager that
flexibility and innovation might come
in handy over the next few years.
Consistency causes stagnation
and lack of growth
Ask any bodybuilder what happens if
they never increase the weight they
lift. Ask any teacher what happens if
they never give pupils more challenging
puzzles.
Habits, by their nature, promote
consistency and repetition. However,
if these habits become stagnant and
fail to evolve, they can limit personal
and professional growth.
Without challenging our existing
habits or exploring new approaches,
we can become complacent and miss
out on opportunities for advancing
our careers and lives. If you’re determined
to walk only one path every
day, you’ll never have the opportunity
to go in a totally different direction.
Consistency creates blind spots
and resistance to feedback
The mindgurus love to talk about
building tiny, consistent habits every
day.
Every day I used to spark up a
Marlboro on the way to work and surf
the internet until 11am, without fail.
It didn’t help my mental health, and
my bosses weren’t best pleased either.
Just because you’re doggedly
going through the motions every single
day, doesn’t mean you’re doing
the right things, or being open to
learning new ways.
Established habits can create blind
spots, making it difficult to recognise
our shortcomings or areas in need
of improvement. Being too wedded
to habitual behaviours usually
results in resistance to feedback, and
what I used to call ‘career limiting’
behaviours.
Consistency leads to
inefficiency and ineffectiveness
There are few more dangerous
phrases in the business world than:
“But we’ve always done it this way.”
Obviously I would never point the
finger at local government departments
here. But let’s face it, doing
things consistently slowly and inefficiently
over a long period of time can
be extremely lucrative.
While habits are often associated
with efficiency, they can also lead to
repetitive or unproductive actions.
If certain habits are not aligned
with the most effective approaches,
they can result in wasted time and
resources.
Imagine you had to carry a bucket
around with you all day, yet you
decided to consistently fill it with
water…congratulations, you’ve created
a new habit…and given yourself
a painful load to bear.
Consistency breeds a lack of
adaptability and resilience
The 5am workout club loves to boast
about how mentally tough and resistant
they are.
But if you disrupt that morning
routine, you will destroy their entire
day. You will witness the office Tough
Guy (or Gal) become irritable, snappy
and weakened because they can no
longer have ‘their’ consistent habit
‘their’ way.
Overreliance on specific habits
makes it challenging to adapt to new
circumstances or overcome unexpected
challenges. The inability to
break away from established habits
can hinder resilience and problem-solving
abilities.
Don’t believe me? Try solving a
problem if you’ve missed out on your
morning coffee, or once you realise
Without challenging our existing habits or
exploring new approaches, we can become
complacent and miss out on opportunities
for advancing our careers and lives. If you’re
determined to walk only one path every day,
you’ll never have the opportunity to go in a
totally different direction.”
you’ve left your phone at home. You
might think an innocent habit isn’t
doing any harm. But it’s when you
fail to adapt to life without it, that
you do some real damage to your
performance.
Consistency causes you to
neglect strategic thinking
Habitual behaviour can be automatic
and reactive. We fall into – or out of
– habits when we are bored, angry,
stressed or lonely.
By allowing ourselves to be led by
these habits, we bypass our natural
critical thinking and strategic decision-making
abilities.
In a dynamic business environment,
strategic thinking is crucial. An
overemphasis on habitual responses
may undermine the ability to devise
innovative strategies.
Blockbuster, Kodak and Blackberry
all thought they were untouchable
because they believed ‘what
worked then, will work now and forever’.
Ironically, it was the fact that
consumers DID allow their technology
usage habits to change, that led to
these companies’ downfall.
It’s important to say that not all
habits are created equal. Of course
a 30-minute-per-day reading habit
is going to be better for you than a
30-minute-per-day cake-eating habit.
But the habit becomes a hindrance
when we start blindly following the
advice of so-called experts and doing
things over and over without questioning
WHY.
Humans did pretty well before
they were ever told to stack, build,
form or hack their habits. So get crystal
clear on where you want to go,
the actions you must take to get you
there, and the behaviours that won’t
help you achieve that particular goal.
Try to do more of the stuff that
works, and less of the stuff that
doesn’t.
Success doesn’t come from doing
everything consistently right. Success
happens when you recognise you
need to correct course, and make the
required changes quickly, to the best
of your ability.
Everyone’s allowed to make
mistakes.
Just don’t make a habit of it.
EXPERIENCE. THE DIFFERENCE . ADDS UP
07 927 1200 | 60 Durham St, Tauranga | www.inghammora.co.nz

APRIL 2021 VOLUME 5: ISSUE 4
harvest.
Tauranga, says Wassung.
your car, says Kerr.
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Rotorua Airport has recently formally opened its new Business Hub.
BY DAVID PORTER
he Business Hub took
five months to complete
and the official opening
was delayed by Covid-19, but
airport marketing and digital
manager Michelle Herrick says
having the Business Hub open
to locals and visitors showed
that Rotorua was evolving.
“It shows we are moving
ahead of the times and the airport
is instrumental in offering
above and beyond its requirements
as a regional airport,”
she said. (Bay of Plenty Business
News will be running a
Special Focus on the redevelopment
of Rotorua Airport in
its January 2021 issue.
“The lounge, in the airport’s
arrivals terminal, offers
The response so far has been really
positive - it’s created a real talking point
through the business community in
Rotorua.” – Michelle Herrick
a range of seating options from
relaxing loungers, conversation
seats, bar desks and comfy
couches,” said Herrick
“The decor is modern, there
are USB and power stations
throughout the room, we have
TV with current affairs, a water
station and food and beverage
available through the amazing
Terrace Airside,” she said.
The Business Hub has been
designed to offer a relaxing
space for travellers to catch
up on work and emails while
waiting to board. Herrick said
the airport believed there was
a need for the business lounge,
with more than 50 people signing
up as hub members in the
first week.
“We plan on growing this
over the next few months
through advertising and social
November/December 2020 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 11
media,” said Herrick. “The
response so far has been really
positive – it’s created a real
talking point through the business
community in Rotorua.”
Herrick said the Hub had
been designed to give back to
the community and create an
exceptional customer experience
for travellers through the
airport.
The Hub is also available
for group bookings, meetings
and events etc, which the airport’s
managers believe will
in time create its own income
stream.
The airport has not disclosed
the cost of the Hub
facility, but stated it was the
design and fit out of an existing
room and was budgeted for
in the previous financial year.
“Our ultimate vision for
the Hub is to offer an innovative
space for travellers to visit
and enjoy with views over the
city and a relaxing space to
catch up on work in a quiet
environment.”
A new, free facility for all
business travellers. Sign in:
www.rotorua-airport.co.nz
BBN-May-2020.indd 1
MAY/JUNE 2020 VOLUME 4: ISSUE 5
COVID-19 export options.
says.
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update on COVID-19 changes.
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If your business needs support, our team of specialists are here for you.
kiwibank.co.nz/business
We will get through this together
Mā te Manaakitanga tātau e kōkiri whakamua.
By RICHARD RENNIE
Turn to page 3
MAY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 5
2020
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
NETWORK
Commerce Act changes
suggest stormy seas for
IP owners
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29/04/2020 6:26:13 PM
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of being an essential service provider throughout
the government’s response to COVID-19. And
alongside many other businesses, we’ve also faced
the challenges and opportunities that come with
switching our business over to working from home in
a short space of time, wherever possible.
Our top priorities over the last couple of months have
been ensuring our teams have full support, not only for
working from home, but from a safety and wellbeing
perspective as well. What may have been easily
achieved in the office, can be more challenging with
our bubble buddies.
We’ve faced similar challenges to other businesses, in
providing PPE at all of our sites, ensuring public safety
and protecting our essential services workers over the
last few weeks. Thankfully early on we pulled our Major
Incidents Team together and managed to achieve
some pretty extraordinary outcomes – we can’t thank
our team enough for their unwavering support.
Our Technology & Delivery teams have been working
round the clock to ensure our systems are stable,
secure and user-friendly for working from home.
Standing up a full “from home” telephony system was
no small undertaking at such short notice, but we got
it done. With the added impact of a 25-30 percent
increase in ISP traffic, we’ve had some intense days.
Our customer needs have also been at the forefront
of our COVID-19 response. Our vulnerable customers
were the first ones we started calling early on, and
this continues. We recognise that for some, our call
is the only contact they may receive in a week, so
we’ve created a regular check in call for many of
these customers. We’ve heard some amazing stories,
NEED AN ACCOUNTANT?
Contact Megan Tomalin
07 578 8959
BBN-May-2020.indd 11
Anyone that is a trustee will
need to consider how the
new tax disclosure rules
will impact
tauranga@sba.co.nz
SBA TAURANGA
Level 1, 602 Cameron Road, Tauranga
www.sba.co.nz/tauranga
@sba.tauranga
especially around Anzac Day, with many of our elderly
customers likening isolation to war times.
Traditionally we tend not to talk too much about the
things we just get on with as a company, or as Kiwis
really. But at a time like this, it’s important to share
what we are doing, maybe as a gentle reminder to
remember our elderly and vulnerable community
members. We also need to thank our teams for the
fantastic work they are doing day in, day out. It is also
important to thank our customers and teams for their
patience as we’ve navigated these very uncertain
times together.
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ/DIRECTORY
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
May/June 2020 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 11
We have taken the opportunity in this issue to meet the demands of the
current business environment. As well as increasing our reach with more digital
subscriber updates, we have included this directory of businesses who have
asked to be part of our 2020 Business Community Support Network. These are
businesses who are here to serve you. Our plea to you – please support them.
THANK YOU FROM TRUSTPOWER
Expectations high for a solid
April harvest, but staff numbers
need to ramp up, reports
Richard Rennie
We Make It Happen!
0800 BAYPARK (229 727)
events@bayvenues.co.nz
81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui
www.trustpowerbaypark.co.nz
We mentioned being fortunate
to be an essential service
provider at a time like this,
and we are conscious that we
have many people to be thankful
to and for. Many of the local
businesses we generally frequent have
been closed since lockdown started, so supporting
them to get back up and running is super important.
Helping with some free advertising spots in this
directory is a great opportunity for us to say thank you
to our local businesses. Kia kaha and hopefully we will
see you again soon.
NEED A COFFEE?
A locally owned business with a comfortable environment to
relax, work and meet friends and business colleagues. Fresh
made daily muffins, scones, cakes, slices, cabinet and salad.
breakfast and lunch menu available all day
Located in the heart of CBD,
43 Spring Street, Tauranga
Open:7am-3pm Phone: 0225411220
littlelong_espresso
29/04/2020 5:54:02 PM
ONG OVERSHADOWED
BY ITS REPUTATION as a
tourism mecca, Rotorua
abounds with commercial
development across a
hugely diverse range of
sectors and industries
that the city is less known for. Economic
development activity in Rotorua has
been steadily increasing over the past 12
months with some sectors experiencing
phenomenal growth.
From science and innovation to housing
developments and wellness, Rotorua has
much to boast about. In fact, the city will
soon unveil the largest investment into
health and wellness that has been seen
for decades.
Developed by Pukeroa Oruawhata
Lakefront Holdings the Wai Ariki Hot
Springs and Spa will deliver health
and wellness experiences infused with
authentic Māori culture.
Rotorua was established with the vision
of it being the spa capital of the southern
hemisphere. Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
will use therapeutic geothermal mineral
waters to deliver a world class bathing,
spa and wellness experience and
establish itself as a place to relax, sustain
and heal.
One of the objectives of the Wai Ariki
Hot Springs and Spa is to compliment
and support existing visitor economy
52 | YEAR BOOK 2022
Bay of Plenty Business News YearBook 2022.indd 52
JPM alliance.
virtual options.
Extend the reach of your event with our online solutions
the challenges.
Due to the rapid shift in remote and virtual ways of working, Trustpower Baypark is offering
a suite of both onsite and offsite services to adapt to the new norm. This will enable you to
BBN-June-2020.indd 1
host virtual/hybrid meetings and continue to stay connected to your audience.
Remote
Presentation
operations and increase visitation to
Rotorua – this is more important to the
city now than it ever was as we look
to build back post Covid says Pukeroa
Director David Tapsell.
“The experience will be one of low
volume, high value, where pride and
presence of our culture and natural
resources is at the forefront creating
and maintaining momentum to create a
positive city-wide experience for all.”
Next door to the Wai Ariki Hot Springs
Spa, will be the new QE Health facility.
Having both QE Health, with its focus on
Clinical and rehabilitative treatments, and
Wai Ariki, with its spa and wellness focus,
will establish Rotorua’s position as the
centre for excellence in these areas.
Video
Conferencing
Despite the murky outlook, Bay businesses are
showing great ingenuity in plotting their courses
around the obstacles that have emerged. In this
issue, we examine some of the ways companies
are responding to the pandemic’s impact.
Web
Streaming
Competitive Packages available
Streamed
Hybrid
Conferences
NAVIGATING
UNCHARTED
WATERS
FREEDOM VILLAGE ROTORUA
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Meanwhile, on the other side of town,
the largest housing development
in some 20 years is underway in the
Pukehangi suburb. Freedom Lifestyle
Villages has started the construction of
194 homes overlooking the city. With
existing villages in the Waikato and Bay
of Plenty, and further developments
underway in Christchurch, Ashburton
and Masterton, Rotorua was chosen as
an ideal site given its desirable location
that provides the lifestyle and activities
that residents in their 50s and beyond
are searching for.
Purpose
Built
Studios
+64 7 577 8591
www.trustpowerbaypark.co.nz
ROTORUA LAKEFRONT
28/05/2020 9:42:24 AM
22/06/2022 5:21:50 PM
6 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
YEARS OF PROGRESS
THE REGION’S INCREDIBLE
PROGRESS OVER SEVEN YEARS
Our lead story in the very first edition of Bay of Plenty Business News (BBN) was titled
‘Boom times in the Bay’. The introduction explained, “The region’s economy is vibrant,
there are signs of growth and expansion everywhere and Tauranga and Rotorua have an
unmistakable buzz about them.” What better time to launch a new business newspaper?
BY ALAN NEBEN
That was seven years ago: July 2016.
Today, despite unprecedented
challenges that have confronted
businesses everywhere in the
last few years, the Bay of Plenty remains
vibrant.
We decided to look through the archives
and trace our journey over the last seven
years, recording the highs (and some lows)
and cementing our place as ‘the voice of
Bay of Plenty Business’.
We’ve covered significant milestones,
reported on big events, interviewed
famous people, eaten sausage rolls
with community leaders and sipped
chardonnay with business highflyers.
We’ve photographed new buildings,
participated in fundraisers, and dined with
award winners.
I decided we should recap some of
those things here. Obviously not all of
them, or even most of them, but a few
of the more significant ones. I began by
trawling through the BBN archives. Any
of you who have ever shifted house and
decided to have a quick sort through your
boxes of old photographs, you’ll appreciate
just how distracting and ultimately timeconsuming
a task like that can be. This was
no different.
As I worked my way through the backissues
I was constantly amazed at the scale
of progress in the region over the seven
years. I am also astonished at my ability to
have completely forgotten about some of
the big stories we broke over the years; the
exercise of wading through the archives
has been worth every minute as I realise
just how significant many of those early
stories have proven to be.
2016: A GOOD YEAR
A good example of that ‘significance’
was immediately apparent when I
flicked to the second issue, August
2016 – headline: “Tauranga decides …
Council told its planned headquarters
‘too expensive’” – some headlines
seem to never really change.
While certainly not the fastest
development project the region has
seen, seven year’s later our July issue
features several stories about progress
in Tauranga City Council’s CBD
developments as the plans become
reality.
Human Resources columnist
Kellie Hamlett has been advising BBN
NEW PROJECTS ABOUND
2017
2017 began with a slew of headline stories
about new projects across the region.
Headlines included: “Mussel farm key to
Opotiki’s recovery”, “Plans finalised for
Zespri’s new head office”, and “Lakefront
SEPTEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 9
UBCO WINS NATIONAL
HIGH-TECH AWARD See page 6
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
TNL PREPPING FOR BUSY
CONSTRUCTION SEASON
C o n f e r e n c e s | M e e t i n g s | E x h i b i t i o n s | E n t e r t a i n m e n t
readers since the first edition rolled off
the press in July 2016. Her professional
employment insights continue to
provide BBN readers the highest quality
2019
spa a ‘game changer’ for Rotorua”.
By June 2019 we were trumpeting
Zespri’s staff moving into their new Mount
Maunganui headquarters and by 2022 we
were covering the commencement of
T
auranga’s twin geographical cha lenges
of slope and swamp have not impeded a
rapid star to the district’s longest awaited
roading project, the Takitimu North Link (TNL).
The 6.8km long project linking Takitimu
Drive to l road through to Loop Road at Te Puna
has long been an on-again, o f-again affair for
over 15 years as traffic volumes have ba looned
on State Highway 2.
But Waka Kotahi regional manager for infrastructure
deliver Jo Wilton says since commencing
earlier this year, significant preparatory site
work has been completed ahead of the busy
summer earthmoving season.
“There has been a lot of initial groundwork
undertaken to prepare and open up the site for
commencing the project itself.”
This includes constructing haul roads and
commencing a staging bridge on the Wairoa
River site for construction vehicle crossings.
Wairoa road has been re-aligned and sediment
trapping ponds insta led while extensive
archaeological investigations have also been
completed.
The coming season wi l see over 400,000
cubic metres of dirt being moved between cut
and fi locations around the project, while over
3.0 mi lion cumec wi l be moved through the
project’s entire five-year lifespan.
“Other work underway includes the recent
commencement of the Cambridge Road overbridge,
due to be completed by late 2023,” she
0800 BAYPARK (229 727)
events@bayvenues.co.nz
81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui
www.trustpowerbaypark.co.nz
advice (see page 15 for this
month’s column).
In September 2016 Business
News reporter Richard Rennie
outlined the then recently
commenced half billion-dollar
Waihi-Tauranga road corridor.
Fast forward six years and
Richard’s update on that same
project featured as the Business
News September 2022 cover lead.
Given the frustrations caused by
local roading infrastructure upgrades,
we have always considered our role of
keeping businesspeople informed a
critical one.
MUSSEL SPAT PROJECT
POWERS UP
The Eastern Bay undertakes an ambitious
plan to cultivate mussel spat in the region,
says DAVID PORTER. See Page 6.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
P12
taxation
kiwifruit
Conferences | Meetings | Exhibitions | Entertainment
P10
2022
P14
ROTORUA SET TO BECOME
spa capital of southern hemisphere
new stages of Opotiki’s Mussel farming
venture and imminent opening of
Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa,
proving that things really can move fast in
the Bay.
L
LEST WE FORGET
Some headlines, in
hindsight, appear to
have been prophetic,
others even more prescient
…
Despite the devastating
effects on local business
and residents of
2017’s Edgecumbe floods
that resulted from backto-back
cyclones Debbie
and Cook, those names
have this year been
displaced in the public
consciousness by more
recent 2023 weather disasters.
Throughout the life of BBN climate change has
constantly been at the front of our reporting.
TE WHARE NUI O TUTEATA
showcasing innovation
horticulture
Kiwifruit poised for massive
P3
profile
Transformation change for
P14
credit control
No need to lose control of
TAURANGA'S PREMIER VENUE - A COMPLETE PACKAGE
P17
Rotorua Airport opens
its new Business Hub
WITH TIME COMES PROGRESS
Visit the new business hub at:
While Bay of Plenty
businesspeople go about
their day-to-day work,
Business News has worked
tirelessly to keep them
abreast of progress on
big developments across
the region. Some great
examples are the feature
coverage of the opening
of SCION’s new Rotorua
headquarters in 2021, our
in-depth reporting on the
Port of Tauranga in 2022,
coverage of the design and opening of the revamped
Tauranga Airport in 2019 and the 2020 opening of the
New Rotorua Airport’s Business Hub.
NOVEMBER 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 11
PLANNING FOR
THE FUTURE OF
TRUSTPOWER
BAYPARK PAGE 10
MUSSEL SPAT
T
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
PORT OF TAURANGA
INVESTING IN NEW ZEALAND
For the inside story see pages 6-9
CEO CROSSES
THE KAIMAI FOR
QUAYSIDE ROLE
PAGE 11
EV CAR SHARING
COMES TO
TAURANGA
PAGE 13
0800 BAYPARK (229 727)
events@bayvenues.co.nz
81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui
www.trustpowerbaypark.co.nz
C o n f e r e n c e s | M e e t i n g s | E x h i b i t i o n s | E n t e r t a i n m e n t
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
EASTERN BAY POWERS UP
PROJECT TO GROW MUSSEL SPAT
While we don’t want to
dwell on it, Covid-19 hit
BOP businesses hard (as
it did the rest of NZ) –
the BOP Business News
response was to give our
business community a
morale boost.
As we head into the
final half of 2023, despite
the challenges of climatedriven
weather events and
economic uncertainty, we
are excited about the year
ahead. If the last seven
bop business
locked down
but not out
APRIL/MAY 2020 VOLUME 4: ISSUE 4 WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BOPBUSINESSNEWS
The Bay of Plenty Business News was founded to provide unique, supportive coverage on what
has consistently been one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions. The Covid-19 lockdown
that began in March is unprecedented and scary. Bu the Bay business community’s response
has been steadfast and co laborative. We wi l continue to provide ou readers a fresh perspective,
both in print and regular digital updates. – DAVID PORTER, Editor
years are anything to go by, there will be exciting
milestones ahead – reassurance for those of us
who choose to continue to live and work in the Bay.
recovery and
resilience
TRADE
Tim Groser on NZ’s
P8
business leaders
Annual forum speakers’
P6
DIRECTORY LIFTOUT
recovery
Examples of business
P10
Small and medium businesses are the
backbone of the New Zealand economy
– we’re here to support you through this
difficult time.
2020 SUPPORT
NETWORK
BUSINESS
COMMUNITY
bop business
locked down
but not out
AGRITECH
Robotics Plus wins
international accolade.
P6
weatherthestorm.org.nz
special focus
Meeting the cha lenges of
the Covid-19 lockdown.
P11
We’re helping sole traders and small
business owners get through.
CREDIT CONTROL
Don’t be scared,
be prepared.
BBN-April-2020.indd 1 25/03/2020 6:08:17 PM
LIFTOUT
Trustpower – thanks to our
customers, partners and team
LITTLE LONG ESPRESSO & EATERY
L
INVESTMENT
Craigs forges ahead with
P5
BAYPARK
Major venue creates new
P6
P18
JUNE/JULY 2020 VOLUME 4: ISSUE 6 WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
NAVIGATING
UNCHARTED
WATERS
SPECIAL COVER FOCUS
Local companies step up to
P10-19
TRUSTPOWER BAYPARK - "VIRTUAL MEETINGS"

July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 7
THE LAW SHOP RESETS
FOR BIG CHANGES
YEARS OF PROGRESS
BY ALAN NEBEN
It’s difficult not to be swept up
by the excitement in Paula
Yakas’ voice as she explains
the changes happening at
The Law Shop.
“In some ways, it feels like
we’re coming full circle,” she says.
“I bought The Law Shop on 1
September 2008. Fifteen years
on, on 1 September 2023, we
are moving to a new office in
Rotorua.
“We’ve been in our existing
offices for seven years, but we
decided the time is right for a
change now.
But there’s more behind the
excitement than simply the new
premises. Paula explains that
their team is going through a
major reset.
Having bought The Law
Shop in 2008, she teamed up
with fellow director Stephanie
Northey in 2014 to expand
The Law Shop’s service as the
business grew.
Paula and Stephanie went on
to buy a Tauranga law firm in 2017
and open an office in Tauranga.
Although they subsequently
made the call to close the
Greerton, Tauranga office in
2019, they retained the Tauranga
clients with whom they had built
strong relationships.
“We still work with our
Tauranga clients daily and meet
with them on a regular basis.”
While not always an effective
substitute for face-to-face
meetings, The Law Shop team are
able to do a lot of their meetings
on-line, often saving clients time
and reducing stress.
“Along the way we’ve been
confronted with an array
of business and personal
challenges, from babies and
cancer to Covid lockdowns
and an uncertain economic
environment.
“I think overcoming those
difficult challenges has given us
empathy and an appreciation
of what our clients have to deal
with – I think the challenges have
made us relatable.
“We’ve always adopted a nofuss
approach to legal matters
and combined it with a friendly,
open communication style,” says
Paula.
Stephanie and Paula have a
special working relationship.
“We’re like best friends, and
that’s why I’m so excited for
Stephanie’s upcoming change.
“Stephanie specialises in
family law – an area of law she’s
passionate about – and from
July she’s moving on to another
Rotorua firm where she will be
continuing with family law but
more importantly, moving into
working on legal issues that
affect Māori.
“We’re so excited that she’s
taken this opportunity, even if it
is tinged with a little sadness for
us both.
“But it’s the right move for
her – we 100% support her, and
I know she 100% supports us at
The Law Shop.”
Stephanie’s move is only one
part of The Law Shop’s ‘reset’.
Paula says she’s excited about
the on-going evolution of The
Law Shop: her ‘property team’ is
going back to ‘grass roots’.
Paula Yakas, Director, The Law Shop
“We are now well positioned
to focus in particular back on
property law; it’s a space we’re
strong in and our team has a
wealth of experience.”
They will still cover property
conveyancing,
business
acquisition and sales, leases,
wills, trusts, powers of attorney
and estate administration as well
as relationship property.
In terms of the ‘reset’, Paula
sees the shift to the new office
in September as ‘the icing on
the cake’: “We’ll be slightly out of
the city in Rotorua, we’ll be easy
to find, and there will be ample
customer parking.
“It’s going to be great.”
The Law Shop
1268 Arawa Street, Rotorua
Email: team@thelawshop.co.nz
Phone: 0800 129 691
Expert legal advice that
solidifies your business’
foundations
For over 30 years, The Law Shop been giving clear advice for a fair price to
individuals, small and medium businesses in the Bay of Plenty.
If your business needs advice on Trusts, Agreements, Buying, Selling,
Terms of Trade,Structure and Succession Planning, Banking, Leasing,
Debt Collection or Franchising, then we’re the team for you.
Contact our friendly team to find
out more today.
Proudly serving our community
in Rotorua and Tauranga.
Call us on 0800 LAW SHOP
or visit www.thelawshop.co.nz
ROTORUA
1268 Arawa St
Rotorua
TAURANGA
Virtual Office
ROTORUA
1268 Arawa St, Rotorua

8 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
15 YEARS
OF ANGEL
INVESTING
Recently Enterprise Angels has
celebrated 15 years of angel investing.
Tauranga-based, it has become one
of New Zealand’s largest, most active,
and best resourced Angel networks.
15 years of investing
A founding pillar of the local startup ecosystem
2008
Founder Bill Murphy launches Western
Bay of Plenty Business Forum –
individuals investing according to own
interests and experience. Members: 18
2012
Stronger group collaboration
of due diligence, and growing
member numbers
2021
Scalable investor
management system, robust
processes, strong
team, experienced &
connected members
2013
Key business leaders join
group; depth and breadth of
experience within group
grows
Members: 80, FTEs: 1.5
2019
Third side-car fund launched
Nina becomes CEO
Bill launched Purpose Capital
Impact Fund ($20m)
2023
200+ members, 160 wholesale investors,
21 partners, 100+ investments
Investor portal
First ‘lead’ fund launched
Members: 207, FTEs: 6.3
YEARS OF PROGRESS
2014
Exceeds 100 members
and launches first fund
Waikato Chapter launched
2016
Second side-car fund
launched – increased
investment in local
startups
Enterprise Angels offers a unique
model of early stage investing in
New Zealand with a professional
management team, 20+ partner
organisations, 200+ Angel investors,
and 150 wholesale investors. To date it
has facilitated investment of more than
$65m in 107 New Zealand startups across
a variety of industries, supporting more
than 1600 jobs.
FOUNDING OF ENTERPRISE ANGELS
Enterprise Angels was founded by Bill
Murphy who launched the organisation in
2008, then named Western Bay of Plenty
Investors’ Forum (a bit of a mouthful).
“I originally started Enterprise Angels
to provide an avenue for startups to
successfully raise capital and get more
than just money. Back in the day, founders
came to me due to my involvement with
the local Economic Development Agency.
I realised we had to get a better system in
place; the only early-stage capital at the
time was found by contacting a local rich
guy… we’ve certainly come a long way. The
growth path of a startup can be affected
dramatically by having successful business
angels as investors. They connect founders
to potential clients, other investors, future
staff and more. They help guide founders
in areas that they have experience in either
informally or as a director, and sometimes
they just provide moral support.”
In 2019 Bill stepped down to lead the
Purpose Capital Impact Fund, and Nina Le
Lievre became the country’s first female
angel network Chief Executive. Nina had
been working alongside Bill at Enterprise
Angels for six years prior to this. Bill
continues to support Enterprise Angels in
a part-time capacity as Executive Chair.
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
The existing portfolio is impressive
with the majority of companies being in
high-growth mode. A number of these
portfolio companies are making a name
Nina Le Lievre, Chief Executive,
Enterprise Angels
for themselves the world over, such as
Fuel50, Spoke, Parrot Analytics, LawVu,
UBCO, FileInvite and Datagate Innovation.
Many have attracted significant further
investment from later stage investors
including both NZ and international
venture capital and private equity firms.
Understanding where and who the next
stage funders are for the companies is a
critical part of the equation. Companies
often need more than angel money to be
globally successful.
Most of the portfolio companies are
software (39%), hardware (26%), or agtech
(23%), with the majority being based in
Auckland (41%), Bay of Plenty (18%) and
Wellington (18%).
Since formation Enterprise Angels has
had 32 exits. 15 companies have provided
positive investment returns - 12 of these
were acquired or listed. Investors have
seen some very profitable returns from
portfolio companies: GreenButton,
SwipedOn, Volpara, Engender, Merlot Aero
and more recently Moxion. The IRRs range
from 24% with Merlot Aero to 194% with
SwipedOn.
As expected with the high-risk nature
of investing in startups, there have
been negative returns too. 17 portfolio
companies have failed for various reasons
– timing, capital, product, resourcing.
Something that’s never easy for investors,
or for founders. Enterprise Angels has used
these failures as learning opportunities
to detect potential problems earlier and
better support founders to grow.
TRAVERSING TURBULENT TIMES
Periods of economic uncertainty haven’t
stopped Enterprise Angels members
investing. They may be more vigilant
when undertaking due diligence,
however risks and challenges create
opportunities. Experience has shown that
good founders will thrive in environments
where mediocre ones fail. Recessions
help clear the market of poor performers
leaving more market share for the best
companies. Many great companies have
grown in uncertain times – think AirBNB,
Uber, Slack, Square and Glassdoor.
With their strong member network
Nina believes Enterprise Angels is well
positioned to face the current economic
downturn.
“We need to continue to look to the
fundamentals and value proposition of
the opportunities that we consider. We’ve
honed this over the last few years and
believe that there will be some very good
opportunities in these challenging times.
These companies (as well as existing
portfolio companies) will continue to
need our support to grow. It’s not just
capital (although that does help a lot), but
connections and expertise are increasingly
important when navigating turbulent
environments. “
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Enterprise Angels success has come
from combining the strengths of its
Angel network (members’ breadth and
depth of experience and expertise) with
the strengths of a fund (coordinating and
streamlining the investment decision
process) to attract better deals and deliver
a better result for investee companies
and investors. EA Fund 1, 2 and 3 are fully
invested and Enterprise Angels continues
to provide this important funding option
for entrepreneurs and investors with the
recently launched EA Fund 4.
EA Fund 4 is like previous Enterprise
Angels funds in many ways, but the key
differentiator is that it is not a ‘side-car
fund’, meaning it can invest independently
of the angel group, undertaking due
diligence and accessing deals from a
broader range of sources providing greater
diversification for investors and a more
streamlined process for startups. The
Fund’s managers are aiming to raise $5
million with a maximum of $10 million. Le
Lievre has designed the fund to leverage
the organisation’s years of experience
in investing and to support the need for
quality deals for the numerous Venture
Capital funds that have formed in recent
years subsequent to the Government’s
$300m Fund of Funds programme to
invest in high growth NZ companies as
they grow to Series A and beyond.
“We’ve received strong support from
those who know us best, members and
existing limited partners, having achieved
our ‘first close’ exceeding $2m. Almost
a quarter of this investment has come
from the EA GP Board and Investment
Committee showing their strong belief
and commitment in the new fund model,”
said Le Lievre.
Despite the current economic
uncertainty Le Lievre is confident now
is good time to be investing in startups.
“We are seeing good value investment
opportunities into well performing
companies at valuations that could only be
dreamed of 12 months ago.”
Angel investing is risky, however EA
Fund 4 provides an avenue for wholesale
investors to greatly mitigate this risk by
efficiently (time and money) building a
portfolio of early-stage investments with a
proven fund manager.
For more information www.enterprise
angels.co.nz/project/ea-fund-4/
An opportunity to diversify
your investment portfolio
If you are interested in investing in this exciting asset class and help form and grow
some of NZ’s most innovative companies, we invite you to be part of EA Fund 4.
To find out more about this fund and unlocking a portfolio of up to 35 innovative
NZ companies, indicate your interest on the link below or call 07 571 2520.
https://www.enterpriseangels.co.nz/project/ea-fund-4/

July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 9
YEARS OF PROGRESS
COPELAND ASHCROFT –
SPECIALISTS IN WORKPLACE LAW
KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
Grown from a team
of six around 15
Grown from four
offices in Tauranga,
Invercargill,
Queenstown and
Dunedin to seven,
adding Auckland,
Hawke’s Bay and
Christchurch
Providing local
support to a number
of charitable
organisations in the
community
Certification with
the Association
of Workplace
Investigators, the
only internationally
recognised course of
its nature
Appointing two “CFOs”
– Chief Fun Officers
to support living our
value of having fun in
what we do
Appointing three new
partners, including two
internal promotions
Appointing a General
Manager and Project
Coordinator to help in
delivering on the firm’s
strategic goals
Copeland Ashcroft is a specialist national workplace law firm offering
employment law, health and safety and immigration services.
Partner Kate Ashcroft leads
the North Island team from
Tauranga, having joined forces
with Invercargill based Managing
Partner Janet Copeland in 2015. Kate was
drawn back to the Bay of Plenty as “an
incredibly special place to live and do
business”.
Kate is passionate about serving
businesses in the Bay in the increasingly
complex workplace law space, wanting to
provide a top quality service with support
locally, including in person education on
key topics which the firm delivers through
its ongoing workshop and seminar
series, including in conjunction with the
Chamber of Commerce, as well as through
its monthly InTouch newsletter and social
media presence.
Kate says “We work hard to provide
cost effective, efficient solutions for our
clients and to establish good working
relationships and we do not take these
for granted. I’m proud of the service our
clients receive and the team we’ve built to
deliver this.”
Kate says the team look for practical
and creative solutions to issues that
arise, because “there is no “one size fits
all” approach to workplace law – you’re
dealing with people and it really is about
relationships”.
Kate says “I was lucky to know I wanted
to specialise in this area from the age of
16. I feel very fortunate to work in an area
I’m passionate about, in a place I’m so
passionate about, and to lead a team that
I hope we provide better opportunities
to than were available to me early in my
career, especially in regional centres
around New Zealand which are such
drivers of our national economy.
We pride ourselves on living our firm
values, which are fun, quality, agility and
rewards. We build relationships with
clients and each other, which are valuable
and rewarding. We produce quality work,
and we have fun while we are doing
this. These values, along with strong
and supportive leadership, have built a
positive workplace, which encourages
growth and development.
“It’s a real privilege to serve the Bay of
Plenty community and to be close at hand
to pop into the boardrooms of our clients
here. I pinch myself that this is what we’ve
created”.
To support the growing team, Christie
McGregor joined the firm as a new
Partner in Tauranga in 2022. She said
“I am excited to be part of a female-led
partnership that aligns with my values,
and being in a specialist firm just made
sense.”
Janet comments “Christie brings
a wealth of experience and is a a real
asset to the Tauranga team and our
wider NZ business. Not only does she
have substantial high level skill and
experience, she adds tremendous benefit
to our clients with her holistic approach to
resolution of issues.”
Kate couldn’t agree more: “Christie
is the whole package – an expert in her
field and just a lovely person. We are very
happy to have her in our team and to work
closely together, especially after years of
being on opposite sides in disputes.”
Christie says “We go to work every day
excited to deliver good solutions for our
clients. We know that aside from knowing
the law, you really have to have good
practical application of it. We approach
advice with holistic workplace law
expertise in employment, immigration
and health and safety, which sets us apart
from our competitors. Whatever the
workplace issue, we have the specialist
skills to partner with the client and deal
with it.”
“Our team is continually researching
and anticipating the next issue that our
employer clients will need to be equipped
to deal with. For example, we are working
on the issues created by growing use of AI
and what this means in terms of privacy
and employment obligations.”
“We are also very aware of the
challenges of operating in today’s
environment in terms of mental
wellbeing for business leaders and
employees alike and have developed and
promoted a Mental Health and Wellbeing
toolkit for this, which has been favourably
received. This is also a key focus for
our team – we aim to positively and
proactively support their wellbeing and
career progression.”
Specialists in employment, immigration and health and safety law
Copeland Ashcroft Workplace Lawyers provide specialist advice, representation
and support across employment, immigration and health and safety law, to
businesses throughout New Zealand.
To receive invitations to our workshop and seminar series, and keep up to date
with the latest on Employment, Health and Safety and Immigration law issues,
visit www.copelandashcroft.co.nz and subscribe.
www.copelandashcroft.co.nz | Phone 07 577 8662 | Tauranga: Level 4, 35 Grey Street

10 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
ABC BUSINESS SALES,
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
YEARS OF PROGRESS
Since 2007, the ABC Business Sales Tauranga office has
been aiding the Bay of Plenty’s Business ecosystem to
thrive by matching business owners looking to exit their
businesses, with new investors hungry to get a piece of
the region’s growth.
Having sold over 250 businesses
across the Bay of Plenty, ABC
Tauranga has seen first-hand
the demand Local and Overseas
investors have for quality businesses in
our region.
ABC Tauranga’s Managing Partner,
Linda Harley says, “A key part of our sales
system is getting the right fit. The buyer is
not just a transaction, they have to be right
for the business, and the community.”
It’s this dedication to their clients
and the community which earned ABC
Tauranga the REINZ Small Business
Brokerage Office of the Year in 2022, after
being the runner-up in 2021.
“We see a huge number of people from
across the country looking for quality
businesses that want to relocate to the
region. The lifestyle and culture that we
offer in the Bay of Plenty attracts a wide
range of purchasers, having a substantial
impact on population growth and the
strength of our economy,” says Business
Broker Warren Chamberlain.
The key to success for ABC over the
last 16 years, has been understanding
the diverse nature of the Bay of Plenty’s
Business community and having specialist
brokers with a deep industry knowledge.
With brokers specialising in childcare,
logistics, hospitality and agriculture, the
team of five hold extensive nationwide
networks that aid their vendors in getting
the best value for their business.
This has earned the Tauranga office
ABC’s branch of the year for the last two
years running. “We are a region with a
wide range of primary and secondary
industries, supported by the Port, which
allow a number of opportunities for small
and medium businesses to thrive,” says
Linda Harley.
Linda Harley who specialises in
The ABC Business Sales Tauranga team
childcare businesses nationwide, is a
prime example of the importance of
industry expertise as she became the first
woman to win the REINZ Business Broker
Salesperson of the Year in 2021 and the
following year, 2022.
“I’ve been a finalist in this category for
several years so I’m also personally proud
to be recognised for the dedication and
skill I bring to the profession.
“To be the first woman to achieve this, in
what is a very male-dominated profession,
is an added bonus and hopefully an
inspiration to other women in the
industry,” says Harley.
“As business brokers, our role is to
connect quality businesses with people
looking to enjoy the financial benefits of
being a business owner. Whether they are
first-time buyers, professional investment
groups, or trade players, there is always
demand for quality businesses,” says
Broker Murray Kidd.
The future for ABC Tauranga is bright as
the region continues expanding and more
opportunities arise for business owners to
make their mark on the region.
“Our priority is people. Exiting and
purchasing a business can be very stressful
and we look forward to continuing to
deliver value for the business community
across the Bay of Plenty.”
Time to sell up?
We have motivated buyers across the
region searching for quality businesses.
If you’re thinking about selling or buying
a business in the Bay of Plenty, get in
touch with our team today.
Contact us to learn more:
07 578 9377
abcbusiness.co.nz
ABC BUSINESS SALES LIMITED LIC REA 2008

July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 11
Embracing workplace
wellbeing through the
winter blues
It’s getting to the time of the year when winter blues begin to set in.
The temperatures have well and truly dropped, flu season is in full
force, and the summer holidays feel a bit far out of reach.
WORKPLACE WELLBEING
> BY BRIDGET SNELLING
Bridget Snelling,
Xero New Zealand Country Manager.
When it
rains its
good to
have an
umbrella
A
gloomier
atmosphere
in the workplace can
be normal this time of
year, so it’s a good time for
small businesses to check
in with their staff and think
about ways they can continue
offering wellbeing support.
All workplaces play a central
role in building people’s
resilience and positive wellbeing,
so they can better cope
with setbacks, take advantage
of opportunities, and be productive,
contributing members
to their families, communities
and workplaces.
There’s no doubt the added
pressure of high inflation, talent
shortages, the Covid-19
pandemic, and uncertainty
about the future have all created
a tough working environment
these last few years.
This is the backdrop for
many small business owners
when it comes to looking
after wellbeing, both their
own and their employees.
The reality is it can be
really hard to know how to
address it or get started.
It can also be hard to juggle
with everything else. But
focusing on wellbeing doesn’t
require revamping your whole
way of doing business. It also
doesn’t mean living a life of
yoga and meditation.
It can be about finding
simple ways to build a culture
of appreciation in your workplace.
Or changing attitudes
towards talking about wellbeing
in your workplace and
asking for help.
It doesn’t need to be a big
change or cost huge amounts
of time or money – but it is
something Kiwi employees
are yearning for.
Choosing to have walking meetings is a
great way to get you and your employees
out and about during the day to get some
fresh air, some Vitamin D and a change of
scenery.”
For example, supporting
flexibility around sickness at
this time of year in particular
is a crucial part of creating a
positive work environment.
Colds aren’t just being
passed around the office at a
rapid rate, they are rampant
across schools and daycares,
and parents are juggling a
vicious cycle of frequent
sickness at home. Where possible,
giving staff the support
to work from home so they
can tend to sick children is
one way of easing the burden.
Encouraging your staff to
design their best work day
by prioritising flexibility for
exercise, and time outdoors is
another way of creating a positive
environment through the
dreary days.
Choosing to have walking
meetings is a great way to
get you and your employees
out and about during the day
to get some fresh air, some
Vitamin D and a change of
scenery.
Of course, ensuring your
staff have access to tools to
reach out for extra support
when the going gets tough is
another top priority.
The Xero Assistance Programme
(XAP) gives Xero
starter, standard, platinum
or ultimate subscribers, their
employees, and their families
free access to confidential
mental health counselling and
resources.
Leading a wellbeing culture
is something we can do
every day, but at this time
of the year don’t forget it’s
important to show both your
staff and yourself some extra
TLC.
Back in October 2022
I discussed the merits
or considerations of
buying into or starting a franchise
business whilst we were
looking at the potential of a
recession – https://bopbusinessnews.co.nz/franchising/
recession-storm-clouds-looming-is-now-a-good-time-topurchase-a-franchise/
The reality is economies do
go through cycles and unless
you operate a business for a
very limited period, and are
very lucky, you will at some
stage be operating in a recession
or economic downturn, a
period of high inflation, tight
labour markets or a combination
of these factors.
Back to weather cliches, it’s
not just raining, for many it’s
pouring.
If you own an SME in New
Zealand, it probably feels like
it has both been raining for several
months, both figuratively
and literally. Yes, it’s official,
the New Zealand economy is
in recession.
Add this to an already tight
labour market, high inflation
and supply chain challenges
and you may ask, “who would
want to be in an SME business
or a franchise?”
If it was a choice of independent
SME or franchise, on
rainy days there are three reasons
why I would choose to be
FRANCHISING
> BY NATHAN BONNEY
Nathan Bonney is a director of Iridium Partners. He can be
reached at nathan@iridium.net.nz or 0275-393-022
under the umbrella of a franchise
every time.
Marketing power
Individually owned and operated
franchises have significant
advantage over similar
independent businesses when
it comes to marketing which
can help them outperform their
non-branded cousins.
Firstly, they benefit from
having a brand, and market
awareness. A group of 20
retail stores will inevitably
have a larger market presence
than 20 individually named
businesses. This can lead to
greater foot or web traffic,
more enquiry, and this can
flow through to sales.
The second and significant
benefit of being in a franchise
is the power created by collective
marketing.
The first thing that many
businesses are inclined to do
when times get tough is to cut
their marketing spend. Unfortunately,
as revenues drop, this
is exactly the time that businesses
need to be increasing
their efforts to increase sales.
If a system of 20 franchises
are contributing 5% of revenue
to group marketing, each of
the 20 franchised businesses
are effectively benefiting from
having spent 100% of their
revenue on marketing.
Purchasing power and
supply chain
The same principles apply to
purchasing and supply chains,
the collective power of a franchise
system is significant.
It can be in areas other than
just pricing based on volume.
Franchise systems can
leverage their collective purchasing
power by reducing
transport costs, preferential
supply arrangements (including
access to limited stock)
through to payments and
terms of trade.
You are not alone
For many franchisees, during
challenging economic times,
as beneficial as brand awareness
and marketing will be in
driving sales through the door,
and limiting costs of doing
business and improving supply
chain as part of group may be,
it’s not these factors that top
their list.
Good franchise systems
may have best in class products,
processes, and business
practices, but they also harness
the collective knowledge,
experience and sense of
community from being part
of a group. And it’s often this
‘being in business for yourself,
but not by yourself’ that get’s
franchisees through rainy days.
Our local wealth management experts Sarah and Simon, will
work with you to guide you toward your long term financial goals
Contact us
Sarah Ashby: +64 27 211 0760
Simon Bradley: +64 27 427 3899
www.jarden.co.nz/wealth-management
Jarden Securities Limited is an NZX Firm. Jarden Financial Advice
Provider Disclosure statement is publicly available at
www.Jarden.co.nz. Jarden is not a registered bank in New Zealand.

12 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
Due diligence: How to prepare
your business for scrutiny
Due diligence is one of the most
important stages of the business
sale process. Due diligence
is the procedure by which prospective
buyers thoroughly examine all
aspects of your company, including
financial records, legal documents,
and operations. The purpose of due
diligence is to verify the financial
and legal status of the business and to
ensure that the buyer understands the
business and its potential risks before
committing to the purchase.
As a seller, you should be ready
for due diligence and understand what
buyers will be looking for. Here are a
few pointers to help you prepare your
company for scrutiny:
Gather all necessary documents
Have all relevant documents and
materials in an easily accessible format
and ideally in a single location.
Be sure to respond to requests in a
timely manner. Failure to provide
documents or information promptly
can delay the sale process or even
cause a potential buyer to walk away
from the deal.
Review your financials
Ensure that the financial statements
are accurate and up to date, and that
they provide a clear and accurate picture
of the financial performance of
the business. This is critical because
financial statements are one of the
most important documents reviewed
by buyers during the due diligence
process.
Be ready to answer questions
Be prepared to answer questions
about the company’s operations,
finances, and legal issues. Buyers
will almost certainly have a number
of questions as they evaluate the
BUSINESS SALES
> BY STEVE CATLEY
Steve Catley is a Business Broker at LINK Business Brokers. He can be
contacted at 021 341 117 and steve.catley@linkbusiness.co.nz
company to see if it’s a good fit for
them. Being prepared to answer these
questions can make the sale process
go more smoothly and increase the
chances of a deal closing.
Be transparent
Honesty is the best policy and transparency
is essential when selling a
business. It is critical to be open and
honest about any issues or challenges
that the company may be facing. This
can include issues such as declining
sales, high debt, or legal problems.
Buyers will appreciate your candour,
as it helps them understand the
full scope of the business and make
an informed decision.
Presentable premises
Ensure that your premises are always
presentable. While (depending on
the nature of your operation) this can
sometimes be challenging, it is a great
way of creating a good impression.
Hire a professional
Hiring a professional to assist with the
due diligence process can be a valuable
asset when selling a business.
Due diligence is an important step in
the sale process because it involves an
investigation of the business’s financial
and legal status before the sale is
completed.
Working with a professional such
Remember that due diligence is also
an opportunity for you to showcase
your company and its potential to
prospective buyers.”
as a LINK Business Broker can help
ensure that the process runs smoothly,
and that all necessary information
is provided. We also have access to
some of the best lawyers, accountants
and financial advisors in the industry.
This helps us be absolutely certain
that your business is best prepared
and presented to prospective buyers
and their due diligence professionals.
By following these tips, you can
help ensure that the due diligence
process goes smoothly and that you
are able to close the deal on your
business.
Remember that due diligence is
also an opportunity for you to showcase
your company and its potential
to prospective buyers.
SHINING SPOTLIGHT ON RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY BRIGHT-LINE TEST
Sellers of residential property in the last year may have got a surprise
when logging into MyIR to complete their 2023 tax returns by the
7 July deadline. If Inland Revenue held information suggesting that
a property sale during the year might have been taxable under the
bright-line rules, the owner’s tax return may have been pre-populated
with the property information, including purchase and sale dates.
TAXATION
> BY ANDREA SCATCHARD
Andrea Scatchard is a Tax Partner at Deloitte, based in the Bay of
Plenty. She can be contacted on ascatchard@deloitte.co.nz
The bright-line test
The bright-line test was introduced
in 2015 to target residential
property speculation. It
imposes income tax on gains made
from selling qualifying residential
properties within a specific timeframe
(subject to some exceptions including
for a person’s main home).
Initially the test covered properties
sold within two years of acquisition,
and in 2018 the government extended
the period to five years.
Then in 2021 it was extended to
ten years (or five years for qualifying
new builds).
Property owners need to be familiar
with these rules and understand
which bright-line period applies to
them in order to limit any unexpected
tax liabilities.
Does the bright-line test apply
to you?
Despite its ostensible simplicity – if
you buy and sell residential property
within the relevant bright-line period
and no exemptions apply, the gain on
disposal is taxable – the bright-line
rules can be incredibly complicated
to apply.
We have different bright-line
periods and main home exemptions
applying depending on when a property
was bought, and there have also
been recent changes to the rollover
relief rules which can apply to allow
some tax free transfers of land where
these isn’t a change in economic
ownership without resetting the
bright-line period applying.
Inland Revenue is watching
The extension of the bright-line
period from five to ten years means
that more residential property transactions
are potentially taxable than
before.
Inland Revenue uses various measures
to identify property sales that
may be taxable and to ensure owners
accurately report property sales.
Inland Revenue’s compliance
activities include:
1. Communication: Inland Revenue
has been proactively communicating
with taxpayers, providing
guidance and information about
the bright-line test and associated
tax obligations.
2. Data Matching: Inland Revenue
collects and analyses property
transaction data from LINZ and
compares it to income tax returns
filed. The land transfer tax statement
completed by both parties to
every property transaction includes
the IRD numbers of the buyer and
seller and requires both parties to
indicate whether the property will
be, or was, their main home. This
data is being used to pre-populate
income tax returns where suspected
bright-line sale income has
been derived. Around 22% of the
1.7 million land transfer tax statements
completed since January
2020 indicated the property was
the seller’s main home, leaving a
large number of sales potentially
subject to tax.
3. Auditing: Inland Revenue targets
property transactions to ensure
property owners are complying
with their tax obligations. Inland
Revenue has conducted over 6,500
property audits in the last 3.5 years
and assessed additional tax of over
$350 million.
These measures are all aimed at
helping property owners get it “right
from the start” when it comes to paying
tax on their property sales and to
encourage voluntary compliance.
It is important that you complete
the land transfer tax statements
accurately for any purchase or sale
of property, and that you carefully
review and update if required the
details of any pre-populated property
sales that Inland Revenue thinks
might be taxable.
If you have made any taxable sales
that Inland Revenue may not already
have information for, these need to be
manually added into your tax return.
We may see future changes to the
bright-line rules depending on who
holds power after the election. In the
meantime though, residential property
owners need to understand the
rules if they are considering buying or
selling property.
If you need help determining
whether the bright-line rules apply
to you, it is recommended you seek
professional advice from a tax
specialist.

July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 13
Food, glorious
food… with
a twist of IP
I hear there’s a new app called
Sense of Humour – maybe
you should download it?
Chris Hipkins and sausage
rolls – today I
heard angry condemnation
of Chris I’s supposed
promotion of sausage rolls
as a healthy eating choice …
really? I suggest he’s not saying
everyone in New Zealand
should eat more sausage rolls,
he was merely pointing out
that, much like every Labour
leader before him I’m sure,
sausage rolls are unavoidable
when doing the rounds New
Zealand’s Country Women’s
Institutes. And they actually
taste quite nice. It’s life in
New Zealand. Whether you
vote red or blue, or green
or beige, sausage rolls are
unavoidable. Please give him
a break on this one!
And the other Chris,
Chris II, is not immune to the
vicious barbs of humourless
critics either – his off-the-cuff
quip (in acknowledgement of
the fact New Zealand’s population
growth is no longer adequate
for optimum economic
growth) that the audience
should ‘go ahead and have
more babies’ was met with
criticism that he was ‘outrageously
dictating social policy
and promoting anti-abortion
policies’ – please people, it
was a joke. Seriously, a joke.
I know politicians twist
the truth, obscure facts, avoid
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED?
> BY ALAN NEBEN
Alan Neben is a Mount Maunganui local and experienced New
Zealand publisher. His columns provide a light-hearted perspective
on social changes effecting New Zealanders.
answering the question,
shamelessly criticise every
aspect of opposition policy,
kiss babies and pat dogs
purely as a photo op’ (even if
they hate kids and are allergic
to pets), but they can still have
a laugh … can’t they?
Perhaps the question
should be, “Can ‘we’ still
have a laugh?”
Are we now all so angry
that we can’t take a joke? How
dull. How utterly depressing.
We in the media must
accept a large part of the
responsibility for the de-humourising
of our politicians.
The media has trained the
public to zero-in on missteps
and characterised humour as a
misstep.
On the other side the middlemen
and middlewomen:
the media minders, media
trainers and press officers
– the ones who baby-sit the
politicians and tell them what
to say, how to say it, when to
say it, and what to definitely
not say – have a lot to answer
for. Most politicians have
been trained to not to make
a joke, to not use humour
for fear it be misconstrued or
worse, misappropriated and
weaponised.
Unlike a good lawyer
who advises his client to
say nothing, the media manager
insists the politician
say something, but just not
the wrong thing. “Stay on
message – and remember
the message doesn’t include
humour or satire. Don’t be
sucked into answering the
question, because the question
is designed to make you
look untrustworthy or stupid.
Instead stay on message.
Don’t worry if the message
has no relationship whatsoever
to the question.”
Maybe that’s why when
a delusional buffoon like
Trump finally comes along
with the self-confidence to
say, “I know better than anyone,
one plus one equals
three, and black is green,” a
large portion of the constituency
says, “Finally, a guy who
doesn’t play the game scripted
by manipulative political
stage managers – he’s our guy
because he’s authentic. We
can trust him.”
Ironic.
My advice to political
media managers: allow your
clients to be authentic – some
voters quite like it.
To the public: if politicians
are funny, it’s okay to laugh
at their jokes; if they make a
mistake, consider the context
and maybe cut them some
slack, even if they are not on
your team.
Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and mustard!
While we’re in the mood - Cold jelly and custard!
Peas, pudding and saveloys!
What next is the question?
So sang Oliver and his
fellow workhouse orphans
in the timeless classic,
Oliver!
The same or similar words
may have been (but most
likely were not) uttered more
recently, in somewhat different
circumstances, by attendees of
Fine Food NZ 2023 in Auckland,
where I had the privilege
of presenting a seminar
on using IP rights to maximise
competitive advantage.
My seminar addressed three
topics:
• How creative thinking from
the start can get you ahead
(a recipe for success);
• How ongoing creative
thinking can keep you
ahead (a recipe for continued
success); and
• The dangers of ignoring the
power of IP (a recipe for
disaster).
In this issue’s article, I summarise
my presentation on the
first topic – how creative thinking
from the start can get you
ahead.
When it comes to food (and
beverage) products, broadly
speaking there are three drivers
of creative thinking: customer
needs – the needs of, for example,
supermarkets; consumer
needs – the need to meet, for
example, changes in consumers’
palettes; and business
needs – the need to survive and
thrive in business.
In meeting all three needs, a
well-crafted intellectual property
strategy can help maximise
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES
> BY BEN CAIN
Ben Cain is a Senior Associate at James & Wells. He can be
contacted at 07 928 4470 (Tauranga), 07 957 5660 (Hamilton),
and ben.cain@jamesandwells.com
the potential of your business.
So what do you need to consider
in crafting an IP strategy
for a food (or beverages) business?
My suggestion is to consider,
from the outset:
• What IP assets (rights)
might be available to you –
in NZ and overseas if you
plan to export – and how to
acquire them;
• What registrable IP assets
do you want to acquire;
• What registrable IP assets
do you need to acquire; and
• When can, do or must you
acquire your IP assets.
In my experience, the
most common registered and
unregistered IP assets that are
available and are used by businesses
in the food and beverage
industry are trade marks (registered
and unregistered), industrial
copyright (unregistered),
designs (registered), get-up
(unregistered) and trade secrets
(unregistered) (for example,
recipes).
Of these, registered trade
marks (more specifically, certain
types of registered trade
marks) and registered designs
are currently significantly
under-utilised in New Zealand.
In relation to registered
trade marks, most, if not all,
businesses will be aware that
you can register words and
logos as trade marks, but how
many are aware they can register
three-dimensional shapes,
colours, smells and even tastes
as trade marks and, more
importantly, seek to do so?
Judging by the relatively
small number of shape and
colour trade marks on, and the
complete absence of smell and
taste trade marks from, the New
Zealand Trade Marks Register,
my guess is not many – which
means a lack of awareness.
Either that or the reason is
a lack of willingness due to
the potential cost of acquiring
registration, which can be (but
is not always) significant. My
personal guess is the former.
As for registered designs
– which are available to protect
the shape, configuration,
pattern or ornamentation of
physically manufactured items,
these appear to be equally
under-utilised by food and beverage
businesses.
Again, the issue could be a
lack of awareness or a lack of
willingness, again perhaps due
to cost. Registered designs do
not cost very much to acquire,
however, which suggests lack
of awareness rather than cost is
to blame.
Whether awareness or cost
is the culprit, I encourage businesses
in the food and beverage
industries to make themselves
aware of and engage with the
opportunities to acquire registered
IP assets that are available
to and used by them – no
matter how tricky it might be to
acquire them.
By doing so, they may
acquire competitive advantages
that will get them ahead,
and aid them to stay head, of
their competition.
Tauranga real estate: market in review
By ALAN NEBEN
Tremains Real Estate hosted
a breakfast at their Tauranga
offices on 21 June in conjunction
with the Tauranga Business
Chamber to talk about the state of the
local real estate market.
Bay of Plenty Business News
spoke to Tremains’ sales consultant
Deborah Peake and managing director
Anton Jones after the event. Deborah
was the main presenter and was
pleased at the turnout for the early
morning breakfast.
“About 30 people attended and
there was a good cross-section of professionals,
from finance and banking
executives to insurance companies
and law firms.
“Having those interested parties
in the room meant there was a good
energy,” she noted.
This year has seen the first significant
dip in property prices in the Bay
of Plenty in the last 14 years.
Huge growth of Tauranga, along
with limited land supply, increased
building costs and increased interest
rates have made navigating the market
seem like a bit of a mine field for
buyers and sellers.
But Anton suggested it’s not all
bad: “It’s a changing landscape and
that change certainly has been dramatic
in the last two years. As interest
rates have risen we’ve all been bought
down to earth. But that is only temporary,
and median prices now are only
back to January 2021 levels so there is
certainly some cause for optimism.”
Deborah provided a general overview
of the market’s growth, particularly
over the last 5-8 years, which
only really slowed briefly with the
arrival of Covid, before picking up
again quickly.
The current correction began 18
months ago, with the Credit Contracts
and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA)
changes, rising interest rates and
inflation, but Deborah was quick to
point out that despite the correction,
the house price index on the whole is
still trending up when we look back to
pre-Covid levels.
“When measured over the last
couple decades, the house price trajectory
is still moving upward – that’s
a positive message I’m giving to those
who may be feeling despondent,” she
said.
According to Anton, “The government’s
removal of interest tax deductibility,
then the implementation of
healthy homes regulations effectively
added significant cost for investors.
“Recent interest rate hikes have
exacerbated that situation and in
2020-21 many started selling their
rental investment properties, due to
the lower return against higher values.
“On top of these pressures, first
home buyers have also been daunted
by increased interest rates in the last
18 months.
“Fortunately, we’re now seeing
more first home buyers starting to
enter the market again,” he noted
cautiously.
Deborah pointed out that the tightening
of the CCCFA lending rules
at the end of 2021 didn’t help home
buyers, but recent easing of those
requirements has provided more
stimulus. She said interest in the
first home buyer segment is strong at
present.
Are we at the bottom of the market
yet? “While some buyers are effectively
speculating that we are and
starting to buy again, we can’t say
definitively that we’ve reached the
bottom of the market until months
after that point has been passed.
“That’s the conundrum we must
all face,” concedes Anton.
“Although listings across the market
are down right now, something we
often see seasonally as winter kicks
in, the election and the advent of
spring will undoubtedly affect things
later in the year meaning more of a
plateauing of the market from here
instead of large falls or rises.”

14 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS July 2023
Tamariki Creative Workshop, Tauranga
Art Gallery, 2023. Photo / Alan Gibson.
Tamariki Painting Workshop, Tauranga
Art Gallery, 2023. Photo / Alan Gibson.
Sonya Korohina and Rosemary Protheroe,
Tauranga Art Gallery, 2023. Photo / Alan Gibson.
Art Gallery to be redeveloped
as part of civic precinct project
Tauranga Art Gallery Trust Chair Rosemary Protheroe has announced that the gallery is to be redeveloped as part of Tauranga’s future civic
precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa. In time, this will contribute to the full richness and diversity of Tauranga arts, culture and heritage which
will be able to be experienced on completion of the civic precinct.
Set to begin later this year, the
redevelopment will see the
orientation of the art gallery
turn to face Masonic Park with a new
entrance that will blur the boundaries
between inside and out. It will create
a more welcoming environment
alongside a new café and expanded
retail experience.
Tauranga Art Gallery Director
Sonya Korohina says “how our artists
exhibit and community connects with
art has changed.
“This redevelopment is an exciting
opportunity to take us into the future
as both a great space to experience art
programmes and a more social space
too.”
Sonya says the interior layout will
largely remain the same, with the education
room moving to the Wharf and
Willow Street side, creating a separate
entrance for the popular schools
and art studio programmes.
“Many local children grow up
coming through the art gallery’s education
programmes.
“Today’s youth are already experts
in visual culture. The creative tools
they learn here hones their skills as
young critical thinkers, innovators,
and empathetic humans.”
To ensure the education programme
is not interrupted by the
build, a temporary pop-up space at
42-44 Devonport will open mid-July
at the start of term 3.
The Pop-Up will include an exhibition
and a multi-purpose events and
education space. The Art Bus will
bring children to visit, as well as Tauranga
Library across the road. It will
remain open until the main building
project is complete.
While closed, the art gallery will
take the opportunity to upgrade lighting,
air-conditioning and an interior
fit-out. This will enable it to maintain
international museum standards,
a requirement to be able to loan artworks
from institutions such as Te
Papa. This will be the first time work
has been undertaken since opening in
2007.
Tauranga City Council General
Manager: City Development and
Partnerships Gareth Wallis says the
upgrade of the art gallery signals
another step forward to breathing
life back into our city’s heart through
what is expected to be one of the biggest
investments our city will see, and
a key cultural, heritage and economic
driver for the region.
“As one of the first projects underway
within the civic precinct, it’s fitting
that the art gallery – which has
held such a special place in our city
centre for nearly two decades – will
cement a home for art,” says Gareth.
“The developments for the art gallery
have been planned to coincide
with the upgrade of the neighbouring
Masonic Park, that will see the park
transformed into a place where people
can stop by and dine and relax or
go between Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour
and the civic precinct.”
A total project budget of $3.38
million was approved by Council in
March and is being jointly funded by
Tauranga City Council and Tauranga
Art Gallery Foundation.
Foundation Chair Phillida Perry
says “the Tauranga Art Gallery
Foundation has been established to
enable the long-term advancement
of the gallery and is pleased to support
the redevelopment, contributing
to enriched art experiences for future
generations”.
Further funds needed for costs
associated with development and fitout
will be raised by Tauranga Art
Gallery Trust and the Tauranga Art
Gallery Foundation.
For more information about Tauranga
City Council’s plans for the
civic precinct, head to http://www.
tauranga.govt.nz/ourfuturecitycentre
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July 2023 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 15
MANAGING DURING A RECESSION
CREDIT CONTROL
> BY NICK KERR
Nick Kerr is regional manager for Debt Free and director of
International Private Investigations Ltd. He can be reached on
021 876 527 and nick.kerr@debtfree.net.nz
So its official: we are
in a recession. Now
what? During an economic
downturn it is essential
to practise both corporate and
individual safe credit management
to minimise the risk of
financial losses and perhaps
avoid turning a speedbump
into a brick wall.
With the recent plague,
huge material cost increases
across many essential industries,
massive changes to how
we work, increased unemployment
coupled with staff
shortages (a strange dichotomy
indeed) huge cost of living
increases across-the-board
the economy has clearly taken
a hit and this has negatively
impacted people and businesses
alike.
However with safe credit
management practices individuals
and businesses can have a
much better chance of keeping
their finances in check during
these tough times and therefore
make recovery easier,
cheaper and less stressful.
Here are some safe credit
management practices to help
you manage your finances
during a recession:
Manage your cash flow
Cash flow management is crucial
during an economic downturn.
You should keep an eye
on your accounts receivables
to ensure that your clients are
paying on time. Late or unpaid
receivables can cause cash
flow problems, so it’s essential
to follow up on overdue payments
promptly.
Moreover, you should also
manage your accounts payables
by negotiating payment
terms that suit your cash flow
before any amounts are overdue.
Often you can find some
very good savings by simply
going through your bank statement
and culling unnecessary
expenses.
I followed my own advice
and found nearly $100 per
month savings by cancelling
the insurance on a car I haven’t
owned for over a year, cancelling
several subscriptions to
software that I no longer use
and deleting an old Netflix
account as I get one free with
my phone plan.
Shop around for suppliers
– savings are everywhere to be
found, you just have to look.
Monitor and protect your
credit score
Your credit score can significantly
impact your ability to
access credit during a recession.
A good credit score will
help you secure loans at more
favourable rates while a poor
credit score can lead to higher
rates or being denied credit
altogether. It’s essential to
monitor your credit score regularly
to identify any discrepancies
or errors that may be lowering
your score. I have seen
peoples credit score decimated
for 5 years; this may have been
the case needlessly if they had
sought advice and had a more
strategic way of thinking.
Prioritise your debts
During a recession it’s vital
to prioritise debts to ensure
that you can meet essential
expenses. Prioritising your
debts means focusing on paying
off the most critical debts
first such as your mortgage or
rent utilities and food. Once
you have taken care of the
essentials you can then focus
on your other debts. As always,
communicate with creditors
if there are relief provisions
available (income insurance,
hardship)
Build an emergency fund
Building an emergency fund
is an effective way to manage
your finances during a recession.
An emergency fund can
help you cover unexpected
expenses or help you get
through periods of reduced
income. It’s essential to build
an emergency fund even if you
have other savings or investments
because those may not
be easily accessible during
times of crisis as we have seen
in other countries, such as the
Greek economic crisis.
Avoid new debt
During tough financial times
it’s so easy to think that a temporary
influx of cash is the
answer, which may well be
the case, unless you are borrowing
from your future self.
It’s best to avoid taking on
new debt unless it’s absolutely
necessary. Taking on new debt
can add to your financial burden
and make it even more
challenging to manage your
finances in later times. It’s better
to focus on paying off your
existing debt using a “domino”
debt payment schedule and
building an emergency fund.
Often recovering from the
choices made trying to get out
of a situation is far more difficult
than recovering from the
situation itself.
Avoid opportunity vultures
During economic hardship
the charlatans come out of the
woodwork: the, “join my team
and make thousands of dollars
for almost no work a day!”
Of these “wealth building”
multilevel marketing schemes
(that may or may not resemble
certain Egyptian monuments)
very few ever make anyone
wealthy, other than those at
the top. With any opportunity,
research and due diligence
are your best defences against
potential loss.
In conclusion, safe personal
credit management practices
are essential for survival
during a recession. Managing
your cash flow, monitoring
your credit score, prioritising
your debts, building an emergency
fund and avoiding new
debt are essential practices that
can help you navigate tough
economic times.
By implementing these
strategies, you can keep your
finances in check and prepare
yourself for any challenges
that come your way.
Just a thought.
Workplace culture is key
Organisational work culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the success and well-being of a company and
its employees. It’s something that we hear a lot about, but what actually defines a good culture vs a bad
workplace culture?
HUMAN RESOURCES
> BY KELLIE HAMLETT
Talent ID are Recruitment Specialists and can support you through your
recruitment process. Please feel free to talk to us about this by calling
07 349 1081 or emailing kellie@talentid.co.nz
While a good work culture
fosters productivity, innovation
and employee satisfaction,
a bad work culture can
have detrimental effects on morale,
performance, and overall organisational
health. Here I delve into the
characteristics that distinguish a
good work culture from a bad one.
A good work culture can be characterised
by several key elements.
Firstly, it promotes open communication
and transparency, fostering
an environment where employees
feel comfortable expressing their
ideas, concerns, and feedback.
Furthermore, a good work culture
encourages collaboration and
teamwork, fostering a sense of
camaraderie and shared purpose.
In such a culture, employees are
empowered to take ownership of
their work and are recognised for
their contributions.
Additionally, a good work culture
values work-life balance and
prioritises employee well-being.
Organisations with a positive culture
offer flexible work arrangements,
support personal growth
and development, and provide
resources to enhance physical and
mental health.
Finally, a good work culture
embraces diversity and inclusion,
recognizing and respecting the
unique perspectives and experiences
of employees.
At the other end of the spectrum,
a bad work culture exhibits distinct
characteristics that hinder organisational
success. One common
trait of a bad work culture is poor
communication, where information
is withheld, feedback is ignored,
and decision-making is opaque.
This lack of transparency erodes
trust and leads to frustration among
employees.
Moreover, a toxic work culture
often manifests in excessive competition
and a lack of collaboration.
Employees are pitted against
each other, hindering teamwork
and stifling innovation. In such
environments, blame-shifting and
finger-pointing become commonplace,
leading to a toxic and unproductive
work atmosphere.
A bad work culture also neglects
employee well-being, emphasising
long working hours, unrealistic
expectations, and a lack of support.
This approach leads to burnout,
decreased motivation, and ultimately,
a higher employee turnover
rate.
The difference between good
and bad work cultures has a profound
impact on both employees
and organisations. In a good work
culture, employees feel motivated,
engaged, and supported. This translates
into higher levels of productivity,
increased creativity, and
improved overall performance.
Additionally, employees are more
likely to stay with the organisation,
reducing turnover and the
associated costs of recruitment and
training.
In contrast, a bad work culture
takes a toll on employee morale
and well-being. This often results
in decreased productivity, reduced
quality of work, and higher absenteeism
rates. A toxic work environment
fosters stress, anxiety, and
dissatisfaction, leading to negative
impacts on mental and physical
health.
For organisations, a good work
culture enhances their reputation
and employer brand, making them a
more attractive option for top talent.
It creates a positive feedback loop,
with satisfied employees becoming
advocates for the company, attracting
further talent and customers.
Conversely, a bad work culture
tarnishes the organisation’s image,
leading to difficulty in recruitment
and potential damage to its brand
reputation.
Transforming a toxic work culture
requires commitment and effort
from both leaders and employees.
By fostering open communication,
leading by example, setting clear
expectations, promoting work-life
balance, investing in professional
development, celebrating diversity,
and recognising achievements,
organisations can make significant
strides toward building a positive
and thriving work culture. The
resulting benefits include higher
employee engagement, increased
productivity, improved retention
rates, and a stronger organisational
reputation in the long run.
NEW INDUSTRIAL
BLOCK TO OPEN
IN ROTORUA
Peka Lands Trust is pleased to announce
that development of a 13ha block south of
Rotorua will commence in 2023.
Located just south of Rotorua, the Peka
block, comprises 633 hectares with over
2000 beneficiaries.
Plans for the Industrial Development
were initiated in 2020 after the harvest
of over 400ha of pine planted in the mid
1980’s. A masterplan for the development of
the 13 hectares was completed with Council
and Waka Kotahi involvement.
The opportunity to bring the start date of
the development forward was presented by
way of funding opportunities available on
application through the Regional Strategic
Partnership Fund, Peka Lands Trust applied
and were successful in securing a loan of $6
million.
A ground-breaking ceremony took place
in June, commencing stage one of the project.
The Minister of Regional Development
and Transport, Hon Kiritapu Allan, spoke at
the ceremony.
Helen Beckett, chair of Peka Lands
Trust, said the planning for the development
has been nearly 40 years in the making.
“The trees were planted with the intention
of providing opportunities to create
future wealth for all beneficiaries of Peka
Lands Trust – the job is now ours to see this
to fruition”.
With no other industrial zones available
in Rotorua, transitioning from harvested
land to an industrial park has been supported
by Rotorua Lakes Council and RotoruaNZ.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson
said, “The development of Peka Block
is great news for Rotorua. It will allow for
more business expansion, create more jobs,
and further contribute to the economic
development in our city.”

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