February 2025 - Bay of Plenty Business News

Nigel Tutt, chief executive of Priority
One, told the Bay of Plenty
Business News (BOPBN).
“There’s a bunch of really talented
people that work[ed] for
UBCO [who] we want to make
sure we retain in the community
and will be valuable for local
companies,” said Tutt.
Obviously, they’ll be concerned
about retaining their livelihoods,
he added. “For most, or
all of them, to remain [locally]
– particularly for growth companies
– having people who have
worked in other growth companies
is really important,” he said.
“It was a very smart, talented
company and I’m sure they have
a bunch of people who we’d like
to stay around.”
UBCO was launched in 2015.
Originally based on a winning
concept of an electric powered,
quietly running farm bike, it
expanded rapidly and, seemingly,
had no difficulty in raising funds
to expand internationally. The
bike’s silent running was considered
a key advantage, according
to UBCO’s cofounder, Tim Allan.
In a surprising move, Allan
stepped down as CEO in 2021,
reportedly because he wanted
to return to his original role of
researching and exploring new
> Continued on page 3
Stratus Blue CEO Mike Bell reflects on the past and
tries predicting the future
Page 8
Farmer Autovillage expands with a new Pāpāmoa service
center providing stress-free vehicle care experiences
Page 9
New appointments signal a strong start to the new year
for Tourism BOP and Rotorua Lakes Council
Page 10
FEBRUARY 2023 VOLUME 7: ISSUE 2
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
1: Adrienne Mikkelsen, Property Indepth. 2: Fiona McTavish, BOPRC. 3: Jade Maddox, Bloom Co. 4: Bronwyn Rhynd, CKL. 5: Paula Lines, The Law Shop. 6: Mel Lewis, Stratum Consultants. 7: Meg Jones, The Shine
Collective. 8: Bridget Snelling, Xero New Zealand. 9: Shima Grace, Sharp Tudhope Lawyers. 10: Meg Davis, Priority One. 11: Marissa Nikora, Priority One. 12: Bronya Dean, Opus Orchestra. 13: Gillian Houser, Opus Orchestra.
BBN-February-2023.indd 1
27/01/2023 2:46:02 PM
FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 6: ISSUE 2
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
1: Adrienne Mikkelsen, Property Indepth. 2: Cass Park, Money Metrics. 3: Nicky Spraggon, Spark Business Hub. 4: Stefani Grgicevich-Lassey, Flame Strategic Media Agency. 5: Valerie Rowe-Mitchell,
Emerald Business Advisers. 6: Linda Harley, ABC Business Sales. 7: Jacky James, The Shine Collective. 8: Jill Cachemaille, The Staffroom. 9: Paula Yakas, The Law Shop. 10: Holly Mitchell, McFall Fuel.
BBN-February-2022.indd 1
Tidal Yachting’s Hayley Campbell, CEO Alisha
King and Loni Thompson. Photo supplied
26/01/2022 4:42:56 PM
10 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS February 2025
WOMEN LEADING BAY BUSINESS
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See page 9
FEBRUARY 2025 VOLUME 9: ISSUE 2
UBCO HITS THE SKIDS
Promising local company collapses
Page 1 and 3
> SPECIAL FOCUS
BAY MAKES HAY
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ
Kiwifruit crop sparks economic rise
Page 5
WESTERN BOP ON THE UP?
Government deal unlocks growth
Page 5
This month, Bay of Plenty Business News profiles driven
wahine making their mark across various industries.
WOMEN LEADING
BAY BUSINESS
> Pages 10-15
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Property market trends 2025
Page 7
FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 8: ISSUE 2
TECH TALK
> SPECIAL FOCUS
WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ
PĀPĀMOA EXPANSION
FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS
NEW APPOINTMENTS
This month we profile some of the many women who are making their mark in the Bay’s business community. As well
as profiling a selection of exceptional performers from across a range of industries we’re excited to bring you the
background story from the team of women heading the award winning Flavours of Plenty Festival. > Pages 12-17
1
WOMEN LEADING BAY BUSINESS
This month, we profile some of the many women
who are making a difference in the Bay’s business
community. >> Pages 10-16
cover story
Taking the music to the people
11
1
2
bay women emerge as
key business leaders
Read about some of the Bay’s leading businesswomen
and their stories. We lead off the section with this
month’s inspiring cover story on the success of
maritime startup Tidal Yachting. (See pages 10-16)
6
7
Top row: Michelle Stephenson – Property Brokers, Kieran Hewitson – Toi-Ohomai, Eve Bachellier– BDO, Evaleigh Rautjoki-Williams – Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Bottom from
left: Dellyn Mortleman – Fleet Partners, Denise Emery – Te Puia, Rachel Cleverly – C2 Design, Jasmine Kroeze – Creative Bay of Plenty, Jen Scoular – Tauranga City Council, Janet
O’Shea – Tall Poppy, Susan Northey – Tall Poppy, Tonia Brugh – James & Wells
High-flying bike co collapses
> By DAVID PORTER
auranga-based UBCO has
been placed in receivership
Tand its collapse will impact
the local business community,
Winning concept
WOMEN LEADING
BAY BUSINESS
Top: Stacey Jones, Loretta Crawford, Rae Baker and Suzy Spear, Tourism Bay of Plenty. Bottom, left to right: Fiona McTavish, Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Dr Jackie Evans, Comvita. Kellie
Hamlett, Talent ID. Mel Manley, Quayside Holdings. Paula Yakas, The Law Shop. Valerie Rowe-Mitchell, Emerald Business Advisers. Sarah Ashby, Jarden. Tonia Brugh, James & Wells
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From tourism, education, health and the arts to local
government, accounting, law, logistics, manufacturing,
architecture and real estate, local wahine are playing
significant roles.
Taking the lead in a diverse range of industries,
dedicated Bay of Plenty locals are shaping our
businesses and our communities. For this reason, Bay of
Plenty Business News is delighted to be profiling many of
our most impressive women through our fourth edition
of our Women Leading Bay Business .
Popular additions to our 2022, 2023 and 2024 issues, this
special feature is again revealing more about numerous
wahine movers and shakers – including their secrets for
success – making a significant impact across a broad
spectrum of industries.
Proving that the Bay of Plenty region has fantastic
talent and depth when it comes to inspiring people, the
following pages provide insight into some of the most
driven women our region has to offer. Enjoy the fourth
edition of Women Leading Bay Business!
CREATIVE BOP
Jasmine Kroeze – Art with purpose
Walls can work wonders doing much more for a business than simply securing its foundations.
Such spaces can tell inspired stories as creativity combines with business.
Local artist Jasmine (Jaz) Kroeze
brings creativity and connection
to local businesses. Nestled in
the coastal suburb of Pāpāmoa
Beach, Jaz is transforming the
way businesses and individuals
experience their spaces. With
almost two decades of creating
murals, illustrations and surface
patterns, she has carved out a
niche as a talented creative in
the Bay of Plenty and beyond.
“I love to help turn plain walls
into colourful, inspiring works of
art,” she explains. “I think my work
speaks for itself. From vibrant
murals to bespoke designs for
coffee cups, wall art and apparel,
I aim to inject life, personality and
a sense of story into the environments
I’m looking to transform.”
Oneofhermostrecentmurals,
for the Tauranga Tiahuia project,
was commissioned by Tauranga
City Council and funded by the
Department of Internal Affairs’
Hine te Hiringa Fund.
“This artwork, which honours
the Tauranga Women’s Refuge, is
an abstract composition inspired
by the refuge’s core values of
manaaki, aroha, tautoko and
awhi. Visual representations of
organisations’ values are a hallmark
of my practice – I call it
‘bringing soul into a space’.”
This passion for storytelling
through art resonates deeply
with businesses, Jaz confirms.
“I can tell any business’ story
through mural art. It’s more than
just decorating a space, it’s about
creating a connection and a conversation
starter. A well designed
mural can inspire a business’
team, attract customers and
reflect a brand’s unique identity.”
Thanks to digital technology,
Jasmine’s work transcends
geography – she has completed
projects for clients she’s never
met in person, designing patterns
and installations for spaces
she’s never visited. From boutique
cafés to large corporate
offices, her art adds warmth and
vibrancy wherever it lands.
Jaz says her clients are drawn
to her bold colours and beautiful
designs but also to her approachability
and passion for creating
meaningful work.
“Why settle for beige-onbeige,”
she laughs, “when you
could have a happy sunshine yellow
or an earthy green that brings
a buzz of creativity to the room?”
Balancing her artistic work
with family life in Pāpāmoa,
Jasmine finds inspiration in the
smallest of moments.
“Whether I’m listening to podcasts
while working in my home
studio or sketching ideas for
my next project, I’m passionate
about art and strengthening connections
is at the heart of all of
my work.
“Businesses looking to stand
out will find my art offers a way
to tell their story, inspire their
people and transform their
spaces into something truly
unforgettable.”
>> Jasmine Kroeze