Business East Tamaki - Winter Magazine 2024

Our purpose is to lead the East Tamaki Commercial & Industrial property market. Thank you to all of our customers and clients that have entrusted Bayleys as their local real estate experts. Despite some market challenges, the Bayleys East Tamaki team continue to dominate market share by delivering the best possible outcomes for their clients.

East Tamaki 1/123 Cryers Road

$930,000 + GST (if any)

East Tamaki 4B/417 East Tamaki Road bayleys.co.nz/1905085

Tim Koning 027 286 0011 tim.koning@bayleys.co.nz

Tom Doyle 021 062 6261 tom.doyle@bayleys.co.nz

East Tamaki 4 Nandina Avenue

$3,930,000 + GST (if any)

East Tamaki 7C/22-24 Harris Road bayleys.co.nz/1905258

James Hill 021 599 529 james.hill@bayleys.co.nz

Mike Marinkovich 021 779 117 mike.marinkovich@bayleys.co.nz

East Tamaki 106 Springs Road

$653,258pa net + GST

East Tamaki 3/24 Bishop Dunn Place bayleys.co.nz/1905248

Tim Bull 021 127 1831

tim.bull@bayleys.co.nz

Sunil Bhana 021 938 660 sunil.bhana@bayleys.co.nz

BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, MANUKAU, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Local Board Representatives

Bo Burns Howick

Apulu Reece Autagavaia Otara, Papatoetoe

Business East Tāmaki Team

Ruth White General Manager

Shanu Gounder Marketing, Communications and Events Manager

Andrea Crawford Membership Liaison

Julie Davies Office Manager

Editor Rachel Sturges rachelsturges@gmail.com

Graphic design

Chris Phillips | Design Distillery chris@designdistillery.co.nz

Advertising enquiries Shanu Gounder p 09 273 6274 e comms@businesset.org.nz

PO Box 58260 Botany Auckland 2163

Welcome from the Chair

Kia Ora Ehoa, Ngā Mihi,

I’d like to begin this edition's 300 words with a couple of big shout-outs and thanks. Firstly, we have just completed the inaugural Business East Tāmaki Business Awards, and many of you attended. It was an opportunity to recognise the great businesses we have in the area and celebrate their work. The supreme winner was Resonate Health, and we welcome their innovative approach to hearing health in our region. Also, a big shout-out to our sponsors and Ruth and the team for putting together this event to highlight our industrial might and showcase local businesses.

My second shout-out goes to Karen Hadley, our Operations Manager, who is retiring from Business East Tāmaki after 10 years of service and support to our Business Improvement District, (BID). Karen has worked tirelessly in the areas of Crime Prevention and Security, working and developing relationships with police and your security managers. With a great track record of success, making us a secure and safe place to do business, Karen has contributed to our very good reductions in local crime over the years!

In this issue, we discuss Business East Tāmaki's involvement in transport lobbying, including their submission to the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport. We also highlight their work with the East Tāmaki Transport working group to develop a transport plan aimed at improving commuting links and options for employees.

We are now officially in a recession. Most analysts predict that there will be two to

Upcoming events

three more quarters of rocky roads ahead before the economy recovers. This is due to highly inflationary interest rates and the cost of living crisis, driven by uncontrolled spending by the previous government and the global macroeconomic environment.

We are collaborating with the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) on June 6th, to bring you an economic update after the Budget is announced on 30th May, and commentary on how well the current Government is tracking in their first six months.

Looking forward to seeing you out and about in the next few months, enjoy this issue, and let’s keep ensuring that Business East Tāmaki continues to power the growth our NZ economy needs.

For

Brendan Kelly Chairman, Business East Tāmaki

Maximising Your Business Sale Seminar by Monteck Carter, 29 May, Johnson Corner, Highbrook

EMA: A New Era? The First 100 days of Coalition and What Happens Next

06 June

Career Development & Succession Planning Workshop by Freerange Works, 21 May – BusET Boardroom

24 May, BNZ Partners Centre, Highbrook Pink Ribbon Day with Emma John & Dr Jayani Kannangara

A healthy pulse

Thank you to everyone who completed our latest survey, which measures the impact of the services we provide to our members. We are so pleased with the overwhelmingly positive responses overall, and this shows that we’re meeting more of our members’ needs.

There’s always room for improvement though, so please complete the next survey, and have your say!

A quick explainer about the survey

Last year, Business East Tāmaki decided to discontinue its traditional annual member survey because it only captured a single moment in time. Instead, we opted to conduct shorter, quarterly member surveys, known as ‘pulse surveys’, to monitor continuous member satisfaction throughout the year, and track our progress on initiatives identified by our members as areas for us to focus on.

What is a good NPS?

The short answer: Any NPS above 0 is considered good, as it means that your audience is more loyal than not. Anything above +20 is considered favourable. Above +50 is excellent, and above +80 is world-class.

“Services offered are helpful and relevant to a wide range of businesses. Proactive in advocacy and networking.”

- Janet Bartlett

Results

Emerging themes

networking events professional approachable communication helpful engaged

Proactive leading change

Knowledgable advocacy

“Excellent representation of the business community."

- Allan Horner

“Events are focused on the real needs of businesses.”

- Laurie Kubiak

Business East Tāmaki

Goodbye Karen

It is with sadness that we announce the departure of Karen Hadley, our exceptional problem solver and operations expert, after 10 years of loyal service.

Initially joining Business East Tāmaki in an administration position, Karen’s role quickly evolved into a multifaceted one, encompassing troubleshooting, advocacy, crime prevention and waste minimisation projects.

Karen says that the most enjoyable aspect of her role has been meeting and supporting business and property owners, and being continually amazed by their innovative and successful activities. “I will miss that the most,” she says.

Business East Tāmaki’s General Manager Ruth White says Karen has been instrumental in much of the work Business East Tāmaki has done, especially her work around crime prevention. “It was through her tenacity that we finally got a result with a 24/7 alcohol ban for the Highbrook Boat Ramp, and the 17 restricted streets signs that have now been installed. These are just a couple of the more recent wins that have already had a positive impact on our area, and we are very grateful for the work Karen did corralling various stakeholders to bring this to fruition.

“I would like to thank her for everything she has done for our business community.”

Looking ahead, Karen plans to spend more time with family, pursue hobbies, travel, and engage in volunteer activities.

“It’s an open book at this stage.”

Karen’s time at Business East Tāmaki has been characterised by community service and a commitment to making a difference, specifically in ensuring that we are a secure and safe place to do business. As she begins this new chapter, we would like to express our gratitude to Karen and extend our best wishes for her future endeavours.

Karen with some of the Counties Manukau East Police team

Having fun with learning

Having fun is a serious matter at Kiwi Supertots, a Botany-based early childhood development centre. With play at the core of its curriculum, the childcare centre aims to create an environment where children not only grow but thrive.

More than 30 years ago, HP and Darshi Luthera, a husband-and-wife team, established their first early childhood learning centre in Papakura. They went on to open two more centres in Royal Oak and Botany, and, while Darshi continues to serve as the CEO, their son Nader Luthera has become increasingly involved in the business as the Managing Consultant. Nader is also the Founder and Project Director of Cloud39 in Bishop Dunn Place, a spacious and modern co-working hub, after-school care, and innovation precinct where Kiwi Supertots is based.

Nader explains that the Kiwi Supertots’ philosophy is to act as an extension of the family and build strong community connections. "We host various events

throughout the year, from a Grandparent's Day to a Multicultural Day, to strengthen the bond between our centres and our families. We're not just enrolling the child, we're enrolling the whole family.”

The childcare landscape has experienced significant changes and challenges over the years, particularly in response to evolving parental expectations and regulatory requirements. Nader says there’s now a greater focus on educational quality and developmental support.

Regulatory compliance has become more stringent, presenting challenges for childcare providers. Specially designed software used at the centres has been instrumental in helping them navigate these complexities, but they also hope the government will reduce bureaucratic red tape and further ease the compliance process.

Embracing innovative technologies

Room for more

The Botany Kiwi Supertots centre is at 39 Bishop Dunn Place in Botany. It’s licensed for 135 children, with the ability to look after 25 babies under two years, 50 children between two to three years, and up to 60 children in the over-three age group. The modern and spacious facilities can easily accommodate more children while retaining a high childcare, education, and teacher-to-child ratio.

If you are interested in finding out more, and about enrolling your child, please contact 09 271 6553 or 021 62 33 57.

"Childcare

today is not just about supervision; it's about education and preparing children for school. There's a stronger focus on providing a rich, play-based learning environment that caters to individual developmental needs.”

As a director of FURM Group, a boutique advisory and digital consultancy for startups, not-for-profits, and small-to-medium businesses, Nader has developed the KYLE Care App exclusively for Kiwi Supertots, which facilitates seamless communication between parents and teachers and provides updates on their children's activities and progress.

He has also developed a compliance and quality management software platform, ECEasy, which helps ensure they meet all regulatory requirements efficiently, reducing the compliance burden on their staff.

“In the last few years, we’ve embraced innovative technologies to enhance our services, to become more paperless and improve our remote management capabilities.”

In May, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, accompanied by Minister of Education Erica Stanford and Minister of Regulation David Seymour, visited the Botany Kiwi Supertots’ centre to announce a new $150 per fortnight childcare payment for eligible parents and caregivers.

“It was a memorable morning,” says Nader. “Kiwi Supertots is proud to have been in the Auckland community for over 32 years, and in the East Tāmaki community for 15 years. Our dignitaries enjoyed spending time with our Kiwi Supertots whanau, parents, families and young children.”

Founder of Kiwi Supertots, Darshi Luthera with Erica Stanford

A howling success

Instantly recognisable for their containers sporting a wolf’s head logo against a yellow background, Royal Wolf has been a familiar brand in Australia and New Zealand for over 27 years.

The container business is now owned by the world’s largest equipment rental company, US-based UNITED RENTALS®, but still retains a strong Kiwi brand and culture. UNITED RENTALS® global resources and expertise has enabled Royal Wolf to enhance its services to Kiwi customers and continue to attract top local talent to the business.

Royal Wolf is an industry leader in the hire, sale and modification of new and refurbished shipping containers. Their Auckland office is based in East Tāmaki, employing 38 staff. There’s another 16 Customer Service Centres dotted throughout New Zealand, and shipping container bases in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Tauranga.

As a successful community-minded and innovative business, it’s unsurprising that they were finalists in two out of the 10 award categories at the East Auckland Business Awards: Excellence in Community Impact and Excellence in Innovation.

Community Impact

Royal Wolf's strong commitment to community welfare and environmental conservation caught the judge's eye. The business provides containers and resources to several community organisations, but its partnerships with Kai Ika and Save the Kiwi Foundation stand out.

Operating out of Papatūānuku Kokiri Marae, Kai Ika focuses on sustainability and food insecurity by taking fish heads and bones – that would normally go to waste – and redistributing them to local communities in need.

Royal Wolf started working with Kai Ika five years ago, modifying a container into a fish filleting station to help them increase production capacity, enabling more fish to be distributed.

“Our partnership with Kai Ika is ongoing and we love supporting them and Papatūānuku Kokiri Marae to help whānau and the wider community,” says Karen Preston, Royal Wolf’s Auckland branch manager

“We do it because we're all people with families. And we want to be involved in the community we’re in. As well as looking inwards, we want to look outwards too.”

Royal Wolf’s support for Save the Kiwi Foundation also demonstrates their commitment to the community, in a different but just as impactful way: preserving New Zealand's unique wildlife.

Beyond the financial contributions it makes, Royal Wolf encourages employee involvement, with team tree planting on Motutapu Island. Karen says the initiative fosters a sense of pride and purpose among Royal Wolf’s employees.

Excellence in Innovation

Royal Wolf’s unique and innovative container products and services also impressed the award judge.

One standout is their solar-powered ‘Site Hub’ container, designed in Australia. These self-sufficient units come equipped with solar panels, batteries, a chemical toilet, office space, storage and remote monitoring. They are ideal for remote work sites like conservation projects, remote/establishing construction projects, completely eliminating the need for external power or utilities.

Another innovative product is their patented ‘Wolf Lock’ door mechanism. The Wolf Lock safety container is a tri-locking system with vault-like security, and a safety exit feature exclusive to Royal Wolf. It allows containers to be easily opened from the inside and outside, with illuminated safety releases to prevent being trapped. This is particularly beneficial for places like schools where people frequently need container access.

Royal Wolf has also introduced a new cloud-based worksite management solution called Total Control, allowing customers to conveniently manage their entire container business relationship online. Available 24/7, customers can request new containers, view statements, make payments, schedule pick-ups/returns, and more through this user-friendly digital platform.

With their cuttingedge products and a focus on customer convenience, Royal Wolf continues to lead the industry in innovative container solutions.

Royal Wolf HSEQ Advisor, Shar Debney, (left) and Napier Branch Manager, Jeromy Lemon, with Kiwi Keeper Bev Wilkinson at the Kiwi Creche in Hawkes Bay.

Lionel Hotene (Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae), Graham Allison (Royal Wolf), and Sam Woolford (LegaSea)

New immigration changes:

What employers need to know

In April, the Government announced initial changes to our immigration settings.

These initial changes, which modify the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, will likely affect you if recruiting internationally for ‘lower-skilled’ roles within the ANZSCO levels four and five.

What is the AEWV

Introduced in 2022, it’s the main temporary work visa in New Zealand to ensure New Zealanders are at the front of the queue for jobs. It also makes it easier for employers to hire internationally if genuine skills or labour shortages exist.

To be eligible for the AEWV, a migrant needs to have a genuine job offer from an accredited employer. Accredited employer status is obtained through Immigration New Zealand and requires the employer to meet several conditions.

Once accredited, the employer can hire foreign workers under the AEWV for the period of their accreditation. Initially, the accreditation lasts for 12 months, which can be extended to 24 months.

Since the introduction of the AEWV, New Zealand's net migration has reached a record high of 130,000 in the past year, equivalent to a city the size of Tauranga! This surge is due to the immigration system catching up after nearly two years of pandemic-induced border closures, which led to a significant skills shortage.

However, a review by the Public Services Commission, prompted by cases of migrant exploitation, identified areas for improvement in the AEWV's administration. Consequently, the government is implementing changes to reduce net migration, focus on attracting higher-skilled migrants, and prevent exploitation.

The key

include:

changes

• Roles in levels 4 and 5 - employers must engage with Work and Income before approval is granted to bring in migrants.

• Reducing the maximum continuous stay for most level 4 and 5 roles from five years to three years.

• Introducing an English language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled level 4 and 5 roles

• A minimum skills and work experience threshold for most AEWV roles.

• The franchisee accreditation category will be disestablished, and these businesses can apply to bring in workers from overseas through the standard high-volume, or triangular employment accreditation.

The Government announced it would not progress with plans to add 11 roles to the Green List, including welders, fitters and turners. The Work to Residence Pathway for bus and truck drivers is also closing.

The Employment Infringement Scheme

A new Immigration Employment Infringement Scheme has been introduced, allowing infringement notices, fines and stand-downs to be issued for a) employing people in breach of their visa conditions, b) employing a person unlawfully in New Zealand, or c) when requested, failing to provide employment documentation to an Immigration Officer within 10 days.

The accreditation and process

The Government has detailed the accreditation renewal process for employers as the AEWV's two-year anniversary approaches. Accredited employers must apply for reaccreditation before their current accreditation expires,

By Joanna Hall, Senior Policy Advisor, EMA

to continue recruiting internationally and to support migrant employees' residency applications.

Without re-accreditation, employers cannot hire new workers on the AEWV, but current migrant employees can continue working until their visas expire.

If you need further information on the accreditation process, Immigration New Zealand’s website provides a range of useful services that you can access at www.immigration.govt.nz/aewv.

• These changes are significant and the compliance risk to your business is now higher.

• If you are looking to employ and support foreign workers, you must be aware of your obligations.

We will continue to advocate on your behalf, working with both the Government and Immigration New Zealand to ensure that any changes work for business. If you have any feedback or concerns, please reach out to me at joanna.hall@ema.co.nz.

Our AdviceLine team, alongside our Member Rewards Partners at Malcolm Pacific Immigration, are also available to support Members as they navigate these changes. If you have any questions, please contact the team on 0800 300 362.

They’re the Best of the Best

Congratulations to local Human Resources Consultancy, Freerange Works, who in April took out the Excellence in Stratgy and Planning Award at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards - Best of the Best.

Constantly adapting and evolving in a challenging market, while regularly maintaining a focus on their mission and metrics, has been key to Freerange Works’ success say co-founders and consultants, Sarah Brooke and Kerryn Strong. Launched five years ago, the new business owners couldn't have foreseen the extended period of market volatility that lay ahead but their unwavering focus has kept them on course.

Growing and evolving is key

Sarah and Kerryn admit that the last three years have been a “rollercoaster” but despite this, they have retained a strong determination to keep on growing and evolving.

“It’s very easy to get bogged down in the busy day-to-day running of the business and ignore the big picture. But for us, it’s non-negotiable to dedicate time to focus on our strategic direction, our customers, products and service offerings. We have a growth mindset, which motivates us to keep an eye on employment trends and what we have to do to stay relevant,” adds Kerryn.

Sticking to their Vision

Their business strategy didn’t happen by accident says Sarah. “It was deliberate. At the very beginning we established our Vision, and our ‘why’ so we had a clear path and purpose.

“Soon after that we partnered with a business coach as a way of keeping ourselves focused and accountable. That initial work on our foundation and vision has proved invaluable to us.

“Over the past five years, we’ve just had to adapt and be flexible. We know that HR support is something that most businesses with employees need but the focus and skills required shift depending on market conditions.

“When times are good, we’re supporting businesses with services such as recruitment, psychometric, ability and skills assessments, performance management, leadership development and workplace culture change. When times aren’t so good, we’re supporting businesses with outplacement, ‘right-sizing’ organisational structures and redundancy advice,” says Kerryn.

Freerange Works is an active member of the East Tāmaki community. They support Business East Tāmaki through sponsorship, and their commitment extends to their children’s primary schools, Beachlands School, and Maraetai Beach School. Additionally, they've fostered strong strategic partnerships with other East Tāmaki businesses.

Sarah and Kerryn credit the Freerange Works team, and their amazing clients for their success.

“We have a really great, strong team who are on board with our mission and strategy, and we have great partnerships with our clients who have trusted us to get involved with their employees and their business.”

What the judges said:

"Freerange Works has shown a remarkable evolution from a niche service provider to a comprehensive solutions powerhouse. Their response to market dynamics, particularly during challenging times, has resulted in innovative offerings and sustainable growth.

“The strategic acumen of the founders, and their steadfast commitment to excellence is an inspiration. There are opportunities to be found everywhere - but it requires adaptability and forward-thinking strategies to make it a reality.

“Once again, congratulations on winning the Excellence in Strategy award.”

Tim McCready and the judges from Excellence in Strategy and Planning

Death to your claim by (non)disclosure?

Maybe not anymore

Insurance Reform – the Contracts of Insurance Bill by

Pieter Venter, Special Counsel at Wynyard Wood Lawyers and Notaries

Having dealt with many matters that involve declinatures of insurance claims based on alleged non-disclosure by the insured in New Zealand and abroad, it is encouraging to see that there is revival in the movement toward reviewing New Zealand’s law in the insurance space.

Why are insurance claims declined?

Currently, the duty is on an insured to disclose everything that an insurer would consider to be material to the decision to insure, which is part of the duty of “utmost good faith”. When declining claims relying on non-disclosure, an insurer will allege the insured failed to disclose something material. The insured on the other hand usually had no idea at the time that they may have failed to disclose something or what constitutes something material, and that it could be used many years later as a ground to decline the claim.

An honest mistake

For example, the insured may have some years before seeking cover, consulted a GP for something unrelated and at the time mentioned they were feeling down, depressed, tired or stressed which the GP records in a file note and possibly mention a medical term for what the person is feeling.

Many years later, when taking out insurance cover, when asked if he/she suffered from depression or anxiety, the insured replies “No”. That simple and honest answer may then later come back to haunt the insured come claim time when the insurer obtains the medical records and scour them for what the insurer considers material (such as depression) and decline the claim. The responsibility is placed on the insured to provide disclosure of what is material when the insured may have no idea what technical or medical terms or medications mean, or indeed what an insurer may consider material.

Changes to insurance

The proposed Contracts of Insurance Bill will provide some welcome changes, with one of the most important placing the responsibility on insurers to ask consumers the right questions when processing new insurance policies, rather than leaving it to consumers to know what to tell their insurer. The insured will only have to take reasonable care to provide proper disclosure.

That will be a welcome change. Pending that, it is a good idea to get a broker involved when you take out insurance and if your claim gets declined, to seek legal advice.

To read more about it go to: parliament.nz/en/pb/ hansarddebates/rhr/combined/ HansDeb_20240502_20240502_32

Pieter has a wealth of experience gained over more than 20 years as a barrister sole (Advocate) of the High Court of South Africa and as a solicitor conveyancer and partner at a South African law firm and later in New Zealand, particularly in litigation, acting in insurance disputes, employment disputes (including mediations, arbitrations and appearing in the ERA), historic sexual abuse matters (involving faith based and educational institutions), general civil litigation and relationship property matters. Pieter also assisted clients in disputes and settlements involving breaches of the Privacy Act.

Pieter is fluent in both English and Afrikaans, enabling him to easily communicate with and assist a wide scope of clients.

Pieter recently joined Wynyard Wood as special counsel.

A no surprises Budget is just what we needed

By Alan McDonald, EMA Head of Advocacy

Last month the Government delivered its first Budget. In its lead-up, Finance Minister Nicola Willis promised no surprises and that’s exactly what she delivered.

The tax cuts, the Budget’s centrepiece, were well signalled in advance, delivering on the promise of tax relief made by the National party on the campaign trail.

The Budget also delivered more funding for education and health, though not as large as in recent years.

But this was a steady-as-she-goes safe Budget, exactly what was needed given the dire state of the Government’s books.

The economy continues to struggle as the post-pandemic global slowdown continues to bite New Zealand. Our economic recovery from the aftermath of Covid continues to be slower and longer than many of our key trading partners.

Around the world supply constraints, loose monetary policy and increasing government spending have combined to fuel inflation which central banks are still trying to bring back under control. Interest rates have risen rapidly as authorities tried to take the heat out of the economy. In many countries, those rates are decreasing but internationally, interest rates and inflation remain higher than in the past.

While the good news is that similar approaches in New Zealand are working, we are now going through the painful adjustment process.

Consumers with mortgages are bearing the brunt as their mortgage payments have increased, reducing their disposable incomes. This flows onto businesses across the economy, facing falling sales and increased financing costs.

As a result, the Budget forecasts the year ahead to be one of low growth and rising unemployment. This flows through to the Government’s books, with the tax take falling, as demand for government services increases. This has seen the deficit rise quickly – expected to reach $11.1b this year.

To fund this deficit, the Government must borrow, and our debt levels will grow to hit $178.1b this year. Because the Government must pay higher interest payments, financing costs have also increased.

Little surprise, that given the tough economic environment, there were no new big spending packages in the Budget. The priority is returning to surplus and starting to pay some of the accumulated debt of recent years.

While we would have liked to have seen some business-specific measures in the Budget, including accelerated depreciation, it’s more important that we create the conditions where the economy will grow. That means supporting the Reserve Bank’s work to bring inflation down by reining in spending, which has grown rapidly in the last six years.

It also means rewarding hard work. That is why the $3.7b tax cut package in the Budget was important. Some have argued that the Government should have deferred the tax threshold changes until the books were back in surplus.

We disagree. Tax thresholds have not been adjusted for 14 years,pushing more middle-income earners into high tax brackets, as wages have increased with inflation. It’s just not fair for many households struggling with the cost of living. And if the Government funds tax cuts by reducing spending elsewhere, they should not contribute to inflation. Instead, they should give consumers’ wallets a much-needed small boost, supporting increased business activity.

But the Budget did see investment in areas that should support economic growth over time. This includes funding for new infrastructure, including $1.2b for a Regional Infrastructure Fund and $1b to accelerate the delivery of the Roads of National Significance and other major public transport initiatives, addressing our growing infrastructure deficit.

So, while there were no big surprises, this was an important Budget. It was the first step in rebuilding the economy.

There is still a lot of hard work to be done to get the books back in order, meaning things are likely to remain tight for a while.

The

Let's talk about waste

While we all recognise the steps needed to save our planet, we often overlook the importance of discussing our waste disposal habits.

common saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is particularly

relevant when it comes to managing our waste.

Many believe that once they dispose of items in the waste or recycling bin, they have fulfilled their responsibility. Regrettably, this is not a matter that can be rectified at a later stage; it necessitates discussions and actions upstream.

While many are familiar with basic recycling practices like sorting cans and cardboard, few of us engage in open dialogues about our waste disposal methods and ways to improve them.

Through conversation and targeted educational initiatives, we can develop a deep understanding of the complexities of waste minimisation.

This includes realising the importance of cutting consumption and improving recycling efforts. By learning about recyclable materials, products with circular longevity and repairability, and the environmental impact of waste, we can make informed choices. Integrating waste minimisation education can bridge

the knowledge gap and empower people and businesses to have more conversations about waste, promoting a culture of sustainability.

For businesses and organisations, understanding what goes into our bins and whether it belongs there is a conversation worth having. On average, over 30% of waste in New Zealand destined for landfills is easily recyclable. Through understanding our waste composition and volume, we can reduce the amount of valuable materials going to landfills. This also opens up opportunities to enhance recycling practices, switch to sustainable alternatives, or phase out certain products. By analysing our waste streams and sharing the findings with our people, we can have meaningful discussions that promote environmental awareness and responsibility within our organisation.

“Without knowledge, action is useless; and knowledge without action is futile.”

- Abu Bakr

The journey towards a sustainable future involves ongoing discussions, learning, and understanding. By fostering conversations about waste, we can collectively develop better habits and solutions that benefit the environment. The time to act is now, starting with more frequent and open ‘trash talks’.

Reclaim has been leading conversations on waste and recycling for the past 50 years. Initially focusing on diverting paper and cardboard from landfills, they have progressed to providing businesses with waste minimisation advice and education. Reclaim has been actively engaging with New Zealanders to “trash talk” them out of a waste problem for the past five decades.

Steps your business can take to minimise waste:

01 Conduct a Waste Audit

Assess volume and composition of waste generated within your organisation.

02 03 04 05

Drive Change

Identify areas of opportunity that can be rolled out and implemented to achieve better waste minimisation practices.

Implement a Waste Hierarchy

Consider different action opportunities based on waste hierarchy principles of managing waste. Prioritising reduction, reuse, recycling, and finally, recovering value from waste as a last resort.

Regular Assessments

Conduct regular evaluations to ensure your organisation remains on track with its waste minimisation goals.

Monitor and Report Progress

Track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes to maintain momentum and accountability.

For more detailed guidance, contact Reclaim at reclaim.co.nz.

Addressing Waste in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Role of Recycling Week

Waste poses a significant challenge in Aotearoa New Zealand. Annually, we send over 12 million tonnes of waste to landfills, with around 4 million tonnes being readily recyclable material. While many Kiwis are eager to do their part in waste reduction and recycling, the process often seems confusing and complicated, leading to inaction.

In response to this, Reclaim launched Recycling Week in 2013—a free educational campaign designed to provide simple and fun information on waste minimisation and recycling. Now, eleven years later, Recycling Week has evolved into Aotearoa New Zealand's largest national awareness campaign, offering practical waste and recycling strategies that reach millions of people across the country each year.

Recycling Week is more than just a weeklong event. The goal is to equip participating businesses and individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to implement sustainable waste practices in their daily lives—at work, at school, and at home— throughout the year.

Discover more about Recycling Week and register for free to join the movement:reclaim.co.nz/recycling-week

A shared Transport Project for Highbrook

At the end of last year, we outlined the Shared Transport Project for Highbrook and explained why we are trying to improve commuting for people who work in this precinct.

How did we get here?

“As a major employment hub, if the status quo continues, we have a real problem. It's limiting for employers to attract staff and it's limiting for employees if they don't have access to a car, or can't afford to put gas in the tank. And that's without even talking about the environmental impact.”

- Ruth White, General Manager, Business East Tāmaki

A change in direction

Last year, a study by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi revealed that out of 12 major urban centres in New Zealand, East Tāmaki is the most car-dependent commuter destination.

The research, which evaluated the accessibility and ease of commuting to workplaces in New Zealand, found that 94% of individuals employed in East Tāmaki rely on private vehicles for their daily work commute.

It found that the dependence on private vehicles is mainly because there are no public transport options; if there are, they’re not as frequent or reliable as people need them to be.

What we’re doing about it

Business East Tāmaki is collaborating with several local businesses: Goodman Properties, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Steel & Tube, NZ Post and OfficeMax, with support from the Auckland Transport’s TravelWise team and the Eastern Busway Alliance.

We’re advocating for better short-term and long-term transport solutions for our business community, i.e. increased public transport options, safe cycleways, shared shuttles, and car-sharing initiatives.

The Government's draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport has caused much controversy and disagreement in Auckland, because of its heavy emphasis on new road construction. Its detractors say it overlooks the critical need for enhanced public transport infrastructure in Auckland, a city grappling with severe traffic congestion and environmental concerns.

By focusing predominantly on road development, the draft GPS for land transport risks exacerbating urban transport challenges and undermining efforts to promote sustainable, efficient, transit alternatives vital for Auckland's long-term mobility and environmental goals.

25,000 + East Tāmaki Employess

Largest employment area for Auckland 3rd

For proportion of car trips to a major employment area 1st

A lack of vision

Business East Tāmaki advocated for all East Tāmaki businesses earlier this year, providing feedback to the Government on its land transport policy.

Feedback summary

• Business East Tāmaki represents New Zealand’s largest industrial district, with 2,100 firms, 40,000+ employees and $3bn of annual economic activity

• With its overwhelming focus on increasing motor traffic capacity, the GPS is a one-way bet on cars. This is an extremely outdated approach to transport investment; one which will fail to support the economy of East Tāmaki and New Zealand.

• The GPS fails to understand the nature of labour markets and transport by seeking to end traffic congestion by building new roads. This simply causes more traffic jams, embedding congestion in East Tāmaki for decades to come.

• Business surveys reveal that staff would like to take public transport or cycle to work but are deterred by a road network that offers almost no priority for public transport and limited and disconnected cycleways that do little to reassure potential cyclists that safety is a priority.

• Business East Tāmaki is keen to work with local partners to rebalance the transport system, but this cannot happen without commensurate public investment.

• The GPS threatens to reduce the amount of operational funding for public transport. Our surveys reveal that more people would use buses, but only if they were more frequent and reliable.

• While we welcome the completion of the Eastern Busway in 2027, East Tāmaki urgently needs more frequent buses, operating for longer hours, with bus lanes and other priority measures, to reach its economic potential.

• The GPS is biased against active travel, specifically excluding cycling and walking infrastructure from general highway improvements, while making the active travel fund much smaller. The GPS needs to recognise the value of cycling for transport, and then commit to investing in cycling infrastructure in industrial and warehousing areas like East Tāmaki.

• The GPS proposes significant expenditure on brand-new highway infrastructure, which is expensive to build, operate and maintain. The best way to use urban transport assets efficiently is to support space-efficient transport modes

“Business

East Tāmaki is disappointed with the lack of vision in the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport. We agree that the transport system needs to support New Zealand’s economy, but the GPS threatens instead to undermine it.”

such as cycling, walking and public transport; roading and parking take up a lot of expensive land that could be used for business.

• East Tāmaki would benefit considerably from improvements to its existing transport assets, such as:

- Bus priority measures, including bus lanes, bus gates at traffic lights and other measures to improve the speed and quality of bus services in the area.

- A programme of dedicated, high-quality, two-way separated cycleways along the main roads in the area. There is space to do this within the existing highway corridors such as Highbrook Drive, Kerwyn Avenue and Allen’s Road.

- Improvements to the pedestrian environment, including safer crossings, wider footways and better lighting.

Encouraging the ride to work

Research by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) highlights that most businesses in New Zealand don't offer facilities to support active forms of transport, like walking or biking. Only 30% of businesses provide secure bike parking, and 24% provide showers and lockers, compared with 72% that provide car parking.

Employers can support active commuting choices by providing lockers and shower facilities for employees to freshen up when they get to work. Offering secure bike parking facilities can mean employees are more likely to cycle to work if they have a safe and convenient place to store their bikes during the workday.

Larissa Michelsen, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, says the Highbrook-based business has a strong cycling community, and they say that having access to showers, lockers and secure bike racks is really valuable.

Additionally, with good eating options on-site, employees don’t need transport to eat elsewhere. Some noted this as a deterrent to biking in last year’s Highbrook travel survey – with people commenting they often need their car to get lunch off-site.

Stephanie Reader, Regulatory Affairs Specialist – Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

“I ride from Mount Wellington around the Panmure Basin each morning. I think it’s about 8km. It’s a nice way to see the basin in the morning and when the tide’s in it’s beautiful to see the birds out and the sun coming up. A lot of people are up in the morning walking their dogs.

On the way home it really clears my head, gets rid of the day’s crazy to-do list, and I arrive home in a good mood.

The electric assistance of my e-bike means that I don’t have to worry about getting sweaty in the morning. My commute is pretty much the same amount of time every day. 30 minutes in the morning, and on the way home the same unless I stop.

My e-bike’s name is Rhonda, because it’s quick like a Honda. One time I got her up to 56km/hr. But I was wearing shorts and jandals and realised that because we can go that fast doesn’t mean we should!

Happy to have anyone come and meet Rhonda and have a ride if they want. That’s my love story with Rhonda. She can easily hold a box of Pals.”

Nigel Coleman, Principal Product Development Engineer – Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

“Cycling is a big part of my mental health and well-being habits. I cycle every day to work, and often for personal trips on the weekend.

I find the daily cycling calms me and helps me to clear my head and relax me after a day in the office.

I cycle about 14 kms each way to work. I have an e-bike and a traditional bike, and I probably bring the traditional bike 3-4 times a week and the e-bike 1-2 times a week. I enjoy the lightness and exercise of using the traditional bike.

Cycling has changed my attitude to the environment and really raised my awareness of sustainability. I am more conscious about not using fossil fuels. I think about how much petrol I used to burn on my daily commute, and now cycling makes me think about how we drive and don’t think about the petrol we use.”

Revolutionising workplace benefits

WorkRide, New Zealand’s ride-to-work initiative, is transforming how businesses can provide transport benefits to their staff through smart use of tax rules.

WorkRide offers a free ride-to-work benefit scheme that ensures tax compliance and simplifies administration. Your employees can choose a new bike, e-bike, or scooter from over 180 WorkRideapproved stores nationwide, which is then paid for by the employer.

Over 12 months, the employee can use their new ride to commute to work and effectively pay back the full cost to their employer through a ‘pre-tax salary sacrifice’ arrangement, creating a 32-63% offset from the in-store price in the process.

This innovative programme not only provides a workplace benefit to employees but also promotes healthier lifestyles, reduces traffic congestion, and contributes to environmental sustainability.

Aidan Smith, co-founder of WorkRide, says the challenge presented itself through a previous business operating an e-bike commuting subscription service for businesses and individuals. “On the back of that, there was a huge amount of interest from businesses wanting to provide this service to their staff, but the main barriers were the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), complexity of administration, and significant hassle that would apply if they were to do it themselves,” he says.

This challenge led WorkRide to rally support from New Zealand businesses, advocates, politicians and councils to develop and implement New Zealand’s ride-to-work benefit scheme.

"Over the last 14 months, we have partnered with councils, top-tier legal and tax consultants, and collaborated closely with Inland Revenue to get approval via multiple binding rulings to operate and provide this benefit for Kiwis. This scheme is legislatively exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax, ensuring compliance and peace of mind for all involved,” says Aidan.

A win-win for employers and employees

Aidan says the scheme is completely cost-neutral for employers and employees. WorkRide generates its funding through partnerships with over 180 bike retailers in New Zealand, almost 90% of the bike stores in the country.

Employers benefit from giving their staff added value and sustainable commuting options without facing additional tax burdens. WorkRide ensures compliance for every employer through its multiple binding rulings from Inland Revenue, making it a seamless end-to-end digital process.

"The employer pays for the benefit upfront, but they are effectively made whole through the employee’s pre-tax salary sacrifice. So across the 12 months, it costs them nothing. Depending on the employee's personal tax situation, the employee is getting potentially thousands of dollars of additional benefits because it reduces their taxable income. We call this the 32-63% cost offset,” says Aidan.

WorkRide’s call to action

WorkRide is rapidly growing, with over 2,500 interested employers and 400 companies already participating in the scheme within the first five months.

Aidan believes that the biggest challenge is changing the mindset of businesses that have never encountered this type of programme before, and are hesitant to implement it. "The easy thing to say is 'No, it’s too hard'. We have employers from small start-ups to publicly listed companies using WorkRide to great effect. Our team is here to help implement it in a way that works for your business.”

"If you can provide a benefit that has a significant return on investment, almost 40% on average, at no cost for your staff, and enable them to be happier and healthier, that's a really important part of being an employer. It is something that you should consider if you can."

You can learn more about Workride and request a free information pack at workride.co.nz/employers

L-R Co-Founders Connor Read and Aidan Smith.

Cybercrime – get your defences up

As we hear almost daily in the media, cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.

Driven by technological advancements, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the increasing dependence on digital infrastructure, cyber-attacks present significant threats to individuals, businesses, and national security.

Independent research recently carried out by Kordia reveals the significant impact of cyber-attacks on some of New Zealand's largest businesses.

The figures aren’t good

• One in three (36%) of businesses impacted by cyber attacks or incidents say their business operations were disrupted.

• 28% of the businesses impacted by a cyber-attack or incident point to third-party suppliers as the cause.

• 70% of the business leaders surveyed say they would consider paying a ransom to a cybercriminal.

• Cloud misconfigurations or software vulnerabilities were responsible for causing cyber incidents for almost two out of the five (39%) businesses surveyed.

• Around 46% of cyber incidents and attacks took longer than one month to resolve.

• 29% of businesses suffering a cyber incident say personal data was stolen or accessed.

(Key Research Findings – Kordia March 2024)

Understanding cybersecurity for SMEs

Managing Director and owner of Vertech IT Services, Daniel Watson, says the Kordia research focuses on larger companies with over 100 employees, but smaller businesses should not underestimate the risk of being targeted by cybercriminals.

“You don't tend to hear about small businesses getting smashed because they don't make headlines, but they do happen,” he says.

If your business has been targeted once, it is more likely to be attacked again, according to Daniel. “Attackers may have left vulnerabilities or backdoors in your system that they can exploit later. The trick is not to be low-hanging fruit!”

Daniel’s tips for SMEs

1. Recovery testing is essential - Having a reliable recovery plan is crucial. Having a backup is good but you must be Test Restoring regularly to avoid a catastrophe.

2. Cloud services need backups tooEven with cloud storage, backups are essential. Cloud services operate on a shared security model, and data loss is still possible due to accidental deletions or insider threats.

3. Automated backups - external hard drives simply aren’t reliable. Automated backup solutions offer greater depth and reliability in data recovery and are less subject human error!

4. Cyber insurance - Cyber risk insurance is NOT included in standard business insurance. It covers you for the significant third-party costs related to cyber incidents or privacy breaches, such as remediation, legal fees, incident response, comms and public relations.

5. Employee training - Regular cybersecurity training is essential as your team is your last defence against social engineering attacks and scams.

6. Follow security protocols - Always follow established security procedures, such as verifying changes in bank account details and segregation of duties, as even trusted sources can be compromised.

7. Involvement of business ownersBusiness owners should not assume their IT guy has got Cyber 100% sorted. They must actively oversee and ensure that appropriate measures are in place and regularly monitored. Start by asking your IT people: “Is there anything else we should be doing?

8. Cost of downtime vs security investment - Consider the costs of business downtime versus investing in cybersecurity to justify enhanced security measures.

To find out more about Vertech IT Services go to vertech.co.nz

Never underestimate the power of a good outfit in a bad year!

Sisterhood of Style’s Emma John (EJ) was a breath of fresh air, bouncing energy and inspiration as the guest speaker for Business East Tāmaki’s Pink Ribbon lunch in May.

Can you still dress with purpose and joy when trauma visits you? Yes! EJ shared her secrets so others could find hope during their own dark times.

EJ talked about her experience with breast cancer during COVID, the loneliness she felt,

and the struggle to redefine herself when her body was undergoing treatment. She also discussed how she used the technique of

Show up for the life you want

‘dopamine dressing’ to help her get through the challenges of chemotherapy.

She says after some of the initial shock wore off, and she began to accept her situation, she began to take her own advice, look at what she could control, and slowly take some power back.

“I decided to take baby steps again onto the centre stage of my own life, using style and colour as my armour and my crown. Cancer threw me a challenge, so I threw back a fashion-focused, bold-coloured gauntlet of resilience, audacity, and the power of personal style in the form of ‘dopamine dressing’”, she says.

So what is this thing called dopamine dressing?

Simply put, ‘dopamine dressing’ is the art of wearing clothes that make you feel good and bring personal joy.

EJ uses ‘dopamine dressing’ and bold outfits as a:

• Form of Armour - when feeling defensive about her body or scared about outcomes from surgical appointments or Specialist visits.

• First line of defence against ‘chemo blues’.

• As a wonderful conversation starter with nurses and medical staff.

• A tool to spread the word about Breast Cancer Awareness on social media.

• A way to accept her body again after it was changed irrevocably through mastectomy, chemotherapy, scarring, reconstruction and multiple surgeries and invasive procedures.

“One of the most important things a dear friend and fellow breast cancer survivor shared with me was this: You will laugh, you will have okay days. This changed the course of my journey so much, knowing that I wouldn't be miserable. And so, knowing I could wear bright colours, realising that this wasn't my funeral but my life, I started to dress accordingly. Clothes fit for purpose, fit for living and living abundantly.

“Show up for the life you want."

EJ’s inspirational talk was followed by a short presentation and Q&A with Dr Jayani Kannangara from Highbrook Medical, who provided up-to-date information and guidance on breast education.

Thanks again to the BNZ Highbrook team for your support, as always!

To find out more about EJ and her styling services at Sisterhood of Style, go to sisterhoodofstyle.com

Update from Inspector Rakana (Raks) Cook

Area Prevention Manager for Counties Manukau East

In this update, Inspector Raks Cook talks about vehicle theft trends, tool theft and prevention, residential trailer theft, commercial burglary, (including recent police action in the East Tāmaki area), plus on-going advice about keeping yourself safe in a violent burglary and/or robbery situation.

Vehicle theft trends

Vehicle theft remains an ongoing issue in the East Tāmaki area, with three prevalent issues: theft of licence number plates, tool theft from vehicles, and trailer theft.

Licence

plate theft up by 30% in the last five

Your licence plates can be used to disguise a stolen vehicle and trailer. It’s essential to report this crime as soon as you’re aware it’s happened. If somebody uses your license plates on a vehicle which is then used for crime, the licence plates are identified back to you. This not only hinders Police efforts to catch the offenders, but will cause you unnecessary stress too.

Tamper-proof screws for licence plates are the best way to prevent this happening. You can easily do this yourself or, your local Community Patrol unit (CPNZ) can install them too. Further details on this are across the page.

Tool theft and prevention

Tool theft from vehicles is a significant on-going problem.

The recommendation is to store tools securely, either on work sites or at home, to avoid opportunistic thefts.

Tips to deter tool theft from vehicles:

• If you need to park on the street, park in a well-lit area and near CCTV cameras if you have them.

• If possible, have an alarm system in your vehicle/house and tinted windows to deter opportunistic offenders.

• Engrave your tools with your driver licence number – that way, if we find your tools, there’s a better chance of us getting them back to you.

• Keep a record of the serial numbers.

• If you work on a construction site, be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police.

• If you can’t take your tools home with you, lock them up in a shed on site.

• Second hand dealers and the public should be wary of tools being offered to them at a price that’s too good to be true.

“If you do leave your tools in your truck, or your commercial vehicle, people can identify tradies’ vehicles and they know there's going to be tools in there.”

Tāmaki

Secure your trailer on your property to prevent theft, if possible with a chain and/or tyre clamp.

Trailer theft on the rise

Trailer thefts are on the rise, with various types of trailers targeted, including those for heavy hauling and boats. They’re an easy target for thieves who go on to commit other burglaries, using the trailer to take the stolen items away, using stolen licence plates to avoid detection.

Commercial burglary prevention

Police are putting resources into the prevention of opportunistic burglaries in the commercial sector. Recommendations include the use of affordable security measures like CCTV and proper lighting.

On a positive note, and thanks to effective CCTV footage, Police recently recovered 15 laptops, as well as a number of monitors, hard drives and desktop computers, stolen during a commercial burglary in the East Tāmaki area. The alleged offender has been found and will have to face a court trial later this year.

Aggravated crime – your safety is paramount

Police advise that members of the public should not attempt to intervene if they witness an aggravated crime like a ram raid or robbery. The safest approach is to get out of the premises and call 111 immediately. Following this protocol helps ensure personal safety.

Aggravated robberies and ram raid events are traumatic, especially if this happens to you on your premises. The best way to keep yourself safe is to remove yourself and your customers from that area to a back room and ring 111. Don’t get involved and don’t negotiate - because that’s when people can get hurt.

Dirt bike mass convoys

Police are continuing to closely monitor any mass convoys of motor bikes and dirt bikes. If you see any erratic riding or driving behaviour, please report it via 111.

Safer plates, safer cars

The ‘Safer Plates’ initiative is run by volunteer-run Community Patrols (CPNZ) who work with Police around New Zealand to help prevent vehicle-related crime.

Licence plate theft can be prevented by removing the standard number plate screws and replacing them with either an anti-tamper proof screw or a more uncommon type of fastening. Most thieves don’t carry a vast range of tools and will always target the easiest option, so making it harder to steal your licence plates will help deter them.

Business East Tāmaki has been fortunate to have had the support of both groups to hold many of these successful Safer Plates events in the past so do keep an eye out for our email advising of the next one.

To find out about volunteering for your local Community Patrol unit go to: cpnz.org.nz.

Latest leasing opportunities

Highbrook Business Park is surrounded by beautiful parklands overlooking Tāmaki River. At its hub is Highbrook Crossing, which includes cafés, restaurants, gym, childcare and a range of professional services.

Highbrook is 1km to SH1, 18km to the CBD, has bus stops and plenty of parking.

For more information contact the Goodman Team:

Robyn Barfoot

Portfolio Manager

021 428 446

Robyn.Barfoot@goodman.com

Thomas Papesch

Senior Property Manager 021 033 4267

Thomas.Papesch@goodman.com

Decision on Howick War Memorial Hall provides clarity for the community

Howick Local Board has agreed that Howick War Memorial Hall is to operate as an official venue for hire managed through the Auckland Council venue booking system.

The building, commonly known as the Howick Information Centre, has a rich history dating back to its opening on 24 April 1957 and has been a topic of ongoing discussion since 2018.

Board chair Damian Light says, “Howick War Memorial Hall previously operated as an information centre staffed by a combination of council employees and volunteers. During this time, it was known as the Howick Information Service.

“In 2017, an assessment identified the hall as underutilised, and the Board expressed interest in turning it into a community hub with programmed activities. In August 2020, the board resolved to enable the hall to operate as a venue for hire and no fees or charges have been in place for the use of the space.”

The local board decided to initiate an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to gauge the community's interest in managing the space themselves. There were nine applications from a wide range of local community organisations.

“Closing out the EOI process provides certainty for the applicants, public and staff. Reaching this stage has required significant effort and dedication and we thank applicants for their involvement in the process to date,” adds Light.

As a result of the decision, the hall becomes a formal venue for hire. It brings the booking system in line with other venues in the region, allowing customers to book online, and eliminating the need for phone reservations.

Venues available for hire incur a modest hourly fee, which serves to cover a portion of the expenses associated with maintenance and renewal. To promote usage, substantial discounts are offered to frequent users and community organisations. Nevertheless, the Board acknowledges that this adjustment might affect current regular users who have been accustomed to utilising the space free of charge. To allow time for users to adapt, the Board has decided to implement hire fees from 1 January, 2025.

“The hall has been of high public interest for several years, and we appreciate that it’s taken longer than we’d all hoped. This decision delivers the clarity that the public have been asking for and allows the community to continue to activate the building through a well understood, fair and transparent process,” said Light.

Work to increase the capacity of the building beyond the current 15 people maximum will be considered, noting the significant pressure that budgets are under. Minor works to bring the building up to the standard expected for a venue for hire will be managed through the normal ongoing repair and maintenance processes.

To view agenda notes from May’s business meeting, go to infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ Open/2024/05/20240516_HW_AGN_11581.PDF

Get reading this winter!

Welcome to our winter issue book recommendations from Poppies, Howick, winner of the 2024 Excellence in Retail Award at the East Auckland Business Awards.

Winter has arrived early this year, and all the more reason to curl up with a good book when you can’t get into the garden or go out on the water. Reading takes your mind off the chilly weather and shorter days, so whether you're looking for a gripping novel to get immersed in, a short story collection to pick up during spare moments, or a self-care or motivational read, Poppies’ great recommendations will point you toward some great books. Roll on Spring!

The Last Secret Agent

by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson

This extraordinary true story of one of the last female special operation agents in France to get out alive after its liberation in WWII, has taken Poppies by storm! During her time in Normandy, Pippa sent 135 secret messages conveying crucial information on German troop positions in the lead-up to D-Day. Pippa continued her mission until France's liberation in August 1944 before coming to live in NZ. For decades, Pippa told no one - not even her family - of her incredible feats during WWII. Now, for the first time, her story can be told in full.

Mickey by Helen Brown

From the New York Times bestselling author of Cleo, a warm, wistful comingof-age true story about the transition from childhood to adolescence, and the small stray cat who helped guide the way. Noticing an M on the cat's forehead, Helen names her new companion Mickey. Inquisitive, clever and skittish, Mickey disrupts the already rambunctious household with his mischief. But as it turns out, he's just the ally Helen needs to explore the new world waking up around her.

The Wealth Money Can’t Buy

by

Robin Sharma

A ground-breaking book redefining wealth and success from international bestselling author whose books have sold over 25 million copies. In a world fixated on the conventional notion of success - marked by relentless hustle, sacrificing wellbeing and missing out on cherished moments with loved ones in the pursuit of fame and material possessions - Robin Sharma introduces a paradigm shift.

Table for Two by Amor

Towles

Fans of bestselling author of Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles, are in for a treat as he shares some of his exhilarating shorter fiction: six stories based in New York City and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood. Written with his signature wit, humour, and sophistication, Table for Two is another glittering addition to Towles canon of stylish and transporting fiction.

The Everything Guide by Niki Bezzant

The Everything Guide really does contain everything every woman needs to feel great now and for the decades to come. With no fads and no bullshit, this is an inspiring guide full of long-term strategies for feeling great in both your body and mind. This book is packed with easy-to-follow, practical advice on eating, movement, stress, energy, sleep and more.

The Eastern Busway update

Looking towards Botany

A dedicated haul road has been constructed for site trucks between Riverhills Park and the Tī Rākau Drive Bridge. A retaining wall and piling foundations are being built for the busway bridge over the Tāmaki River.

Photo credit: Don Short

Business East Tāmaki

The flyover’s foundations

Equipment including a piling rig and stacked yellow temporary steel casings are at the closed end of Reeves Road, ready to build the piles which will support the flyover. The casings provide stability to the top section of the piles’ holes preventing collapse under the weight of the piling rig. When each pile hole has been filled with concrete, the casings are removed and reused.

Managing noise, vibration and dust construction

Construction activities can generate noise, vibration and dust, which the project team measures and manages to ensure compliance with regulations and the standards expected of large projects. Mitigation strategies include using equipment with low noise and vibration emissions, avoiding dropping materials from height, installing sound barriers in noisy areas, and scheduling activities considerately. While the project’s neighbours may feel construction-related vibration, it rarely causes property damage or exceeds limits and the team works closely with them to provide relief from constructon-related impacts.

Dust is managed through regular site inspections, water spraying and clearing haulage routes. Trucks are loaded carefully and loose materials are covered to minimise dust emissions. Site monitoring helps assess dust levels and manage them effectively.

Meet our people - Ida Taefu

Climbing Iceland’s highest mountain is the type of project that professional engineer and accomplished sportswoman Ida Taefu loves to champion in her spare time. Ida enjoys taking big work challenges in her stride, too, leading a team of engineers, surveyors and project managers, and is completing an international MBA degree. Ida’s enthusiasm for travel led to her involvement with several complex rail projects in the UK, Australia and NZ before joining the Eastern Busway Alliance in 2021. Ida’s motivation for working on the busway project is that she loves a good challenge and being involved in projects that make a positive difference to communities. Born and raised in Samoa, Ida lives in Ormiston with her husband Alex - also an engineer – and their two children, Ida adds, “It makes this project personal. It’s wonderful to be able to help improve local public transport and connections”.

Roadworks update

Please take extra care, and follow detour signs during upcoming work:

Road layout changes on the South Eastern Highway, Tī Rākau Drive, Wheatley Avenue and Edgewater Drive.

Road closures at night on Mattson Avenue and Tiraumea Drive.

We are looking to see if a roundabout is a feasible option for the Aylesbury Street intersection with the laneway and outdoor parking area of Pakūranga Plaza.

The Edgewater Shopping Centre businesses are open with car park access on Edgewater Drive.

Please ‘support local’ and make the shopping centre your next stop.

Business East

Photo credit: Mark Barber

Photo credit: Mark Barber