FYI March 2021 by Hurst Design Co.

CRIME PREVENTION

How to avoid getting hooked pg 12 TRANSPORT

The Congestion Question pg 16 SUSTAINABILITY

Corinthian Drive’s landmark building pg 21

New Zealand’s Changing Workforce How businesses can adapt and thrive

MARCH 2021 — MEMBER NEWS AND INFORMATION

businessnh.org.nz

Business North Harbour provides a voice for your concerns, networking opportunities for your business development, and access to key stakeholders and decision makers who may affect your investment.

Crime Prevention We support our members by managing the contracted nightly security patrols of our Business Improvement District area, 365 days of the year. We conduct safety, security, and communications briefings with the North Shore Police.

Events Our events programme provides members with an extensive range of networking, mentoring, wellbeing, training, and educational opportunities.

Advocacy We provide an advocacy voice to local and central government for our members’ concerns on local, regional, and national issues, and provide access to key stakeholders and decision makers who may affect your investment.

Member Communications Members are kept informed of relevant news, updates and events and are provided with useful business support resources and information.

Traffic, Transport & Roading We work with all council-controlled agencies to develop initiatives that address access and environmental concerns, including congestion reduction. We also provide information on alternative modes of transport.

Business Directory Our online Business Directory provides free listings for businesses operating within our Business Improvement District and allows businesses to update and manage their listing information online.

Sustainability We provide the resources and operational support to encourage business sustainability by enabling members to access food waste and inorganic waste collections along with pallet and cardboard box swaps.

Other Services Members can take advantage of more benefits and activities, such as our Showcase North Harbour business expo, One Day Sale, candidate employment and internship opportunities along with complimentary member hireage of the Business North Harbour training room.

09 968 2222 www.businessnh.org.nz

F RO M T H E G M

Welcome from the GM I hope that this first edition of FYI for 2021 sees the year starting on a positive note, despite the disruptions despite the disruptions already being faced by businesses. Let’s all hope that we can put the trials and tribulations of 2020 behind us. Long-term, sustainable economic recovery remains top-of-mind for most members and remains the basis of Business North Harbour’s (BNH’s) ongoing advocacy and support. Continuing to buy local and source locally available goods and services is key to rebuilding a thriving local economy. With this in mind, I would encourage you to make the most of the many opportunities BNH offers to promote your business and services to support your recovery. One such opportunity is Showcase North Harbour on Thursday 25 March, which is BNH’s signature B2B exhibition and business networking event. Make sure you register your business so you don’t miss out. You can also take advantage of highlighting your services on the Buy North

Harbour Facebook page, which is free for members, or you can attend some of our upcoming events and take the time to network with other attendees. In this issue of FYI we look at how businesses can adapt to suit a changing workforce, including how to appeal to and retain millennial and Gen Z employees. We have some useful information from the Ministry of Social Development on how Covid-19 has impacted the types of people job seeking and what subsidies may be available to businesses to support new employees. In our Community section we profile the awesome work that KidsCan do supporting Kiwi kids in need. In closing, just a gentle reminder that If we are to give ourselves the best chance of recovery individually and collectively as a North Shore community, we must all ensure that we continue to do what is required of us to keep ourselves safe and healthy. Please do not become complacent. Ensure that you

continue to contact trace, remain at home if you are not well, and follow the guidelines around personal hygiene. Kia kaha

Kevin O’Leary General Manager, Business North Harbour

In this issue 4 6

In Brief

11 Business Success: ChargeNet

Events

Driveline

Diary Dates

12 Cover Story

Asian Business

15 Crime Prevention

10 Advocacy

16 Transport

Contact FYI Magazine Business North Harbour General Manager Kevin O’Leary kevin@businessnh.org.nz

18 Professional Development:

21 Sustainability 23 Property Matters

19 Professional Development: Pathfinder Solutions

25 Introducing BNH’s new

Silver Sponsor: KC Legal

20 Community: KidsCan

26 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors 2020-2021

Editor Lizzie Brandon lizzie@writesphere.co.nz Advertising Peter Green comms@businessnh.org.nz Design Lewis Hurst lewis@hurstmedia.nz Printer PrintLounge printlounge.co.nz Business North Harbour, 12 Parkway Drive, North Harbour, 0632. PO Box 303 126, North Harbour 0751 office

Silver Sponsors 2020-2021

Events Sponsors 2020-2021

09 968 2222 web businessnh.org.nz

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers. The publishers do not endorse any person, company or organisation that advertises in this publication.

Women in Business Event Series Sponsor MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

IN BRIEF

FED. appointed as supplier to Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy school lunches programme The team at FED. is celebrating its selection as a supplier to the Ministry of Education’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy school lunches programme. The contract started at the beginning of the first school term in 2021, when the meal delivery business began supplying nine schools in the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu West District, serving a total of 3,200 children daily. Founded in 2018 and based in Airborne Road, FED. makes nutritious, ready-to-eat meals prepared by chefs and delivers them to Kiwi homes across the North Island. It began a school meal lunch service to a selection of Auckland schools in 2019.

FED co-owners David Pilley, Beckie Pilley, Becky Erwood

“This is a significant and important project to be a part of and we are honoured to be invited on the journey,” said FED. co-founder Becky Erwood. “With so many New Zealand children living with food insecurity, we wholeheartedly support the mission to ensure students are sufficiently nourished during the school day.” “From our initial discussions with schools, we understand what a significant issue this is

Introducing PeopleMaps to Kiwi businesses PeopleMaps psychometric testing is available in New Zealand for the first time. Thousands of organisations in other parts of the world already have a PeopleMaps account, and more than 1.5 million business people have completed the PeopleMaps questionnaire. And now, Business North Harbour member, Chris Baker of Onwards and Upwards, is pioneering the system here. “The understanding of self and others is at the very foundation of all relationships and communication. Unfortunately, most people have a low awareness of both their own personality and that of others, and how that affects their day-to-day professional and personal life,” says Chris, who was a business coach and mentor for nearly 20 years. Explaining why he felt there was a gap in the New Zealand market for PeopleMaps, Chris says he was impressed not only with the system’s efficacy, but also the developers’ philosophy that personality profiling should be readily accessible and easy to use. “All of the reports are plain English, jargon-free and available online. The brief five-minute questionnaire has been designed to deliver incredibly accurate, high resolution reports.”

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for them. We know that when children are not hungry, they are better able to learn. We also believe in supporting teachers so they can focus on their main role, teaching our tamariki without taking on the extra responsibility of feeding students.” Find out more about Ka Ora, Ka Ako at education.govt.nz/free-and-healthyschool-lunches

Learn to ride an e-scooter in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere Are you wanting to enjoy the ease and convenience of local commuting by e-scooter, but are feeling nervous about how to start – and how to stop? Auckland Transport (AT) is offering free e-scooter training courses for anyone aged 18 years or over. E-scooters and helmets are provided for the hour-long workshops, and attendees will: • Learn how to check their helmet and e-scooter. • Learn how to take off, ride and stop safely. • Gain other tips for getting around on an e-scooter.

The closest courses for Business North Harbour members are on Sunday, 27 March at Greville Reserve in Forrest Hill. Numbers are strictly limited to 12 people per course, and pre-registration is required. To learn more and sign up, go to at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/ courses-events/e-scooter-training-courses

IN BRIEF

New tenancy rules on healthy homes The healthy homes standards aim to make New Zealand’s rental properties warm and dry, and all residential landlords and property managers must now include a healthy homes compliance statement in most new or reviewed tenancy agreements, signed on or after 1 December 2020. (Although it may not be needed if the tenancy is fixed-term and ends before July 2024.) The compliance statement shows the progress a landlord or property manager has made towards meeting standards on the likes of insulation, heating, ventilation and reducing moisture. The statement does not mean that all the compliance standards have already been met. Rather, it is a report of progress so far. Not including the statement risks a fine of up to $500.

Key dates for landlords and property managers 11 February 2021 Several new law changes to the Residential Tenancies Act took effect. From 1 July 2021 All private rentals must comply with healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy. All boarding houses must comply with healthy homes standards. From 1 July 2023 All houses rented by Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must comply with healthy homes standards. From 1 July 2024 All other private rentals must comply with healthy homes standards. This means fixed-term tenancies that have not renewed since 30 November 2020. To read more about the Residential Te n a n c i e s A c t , h e a l t h y h o m e s standards, and to assess whether your residential tenancy requires a compliance statement, visit business. govt.nz/news/landlords-healthyhomes-compliance-timeframes

Wall design takes shape on Northern Corridor Improvements project BNH received an enquiry from a member who regularly uses the bus between Albany and the CBD. They were asking about the designs on the walls and bridges. This is what Keelin Flynn, communications and engagement manager, Northern Corridor Improvements, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency told FYI. The urban design for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Northern Corridor Improvements project looks to the ancestral use of the wider area for safe passage and harvesting kai (food), whether by ara (tracks) or awa (water). Design elements of the bridges, bridge barriers and retaining wall panels take the modern day traveller on a journey by foot, bicycle, bus or car and reconnect them to the ancestral landscape and Māori tradition. Some design elements have been built and are visible as you travel on the SH1 Northern

Left: Pātiki design on the retaining walls at Albany Busway Bridge. Right: Tukemata/ whatu design on the retaining walls at Constellation Busway Bridge.

Motorway, with the remainder scheduled to be completed over the next 18 months. There are two different panel designs which feature on the concrete retaining walls: • Taenga (arrival) representing the north/ south arrival into Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). The panel design on the Albany Busway Bridge retaining wall is known as the pātiki design. It has been used to represent the different types of kai caught and transported on waka (canoe). Pātiki designs are based on the diamond shape of the flounder fish. • Nga Hau e Wha (navigation) shows wayfinding and orientation by star formations. The panel design on the Constellation Busway Bridge retaining walls shows the Tukemata/whatu (eyebrow/eye) design and is a tribute to Matariki. Matariki literally translates as the “eye of the gods” and is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster which appears in the sky at the time of Māori New Year.

What is a ‘green prescription’? The World Health Organization suggests that being in green spaces, such as going for a walk in nature, can have positive effects on our physical and mental health. In fact, results can be so beneficial that GPs are now writing “green prescriptions” for patients, recommending that they spend more time being active outdoors. New Zealand’s Green Prescription (GRx/ Rongoā Kākāriki) programme is delivered through the Ministry of Health’s (MoH’s) partnership with various regional groups, including Māori health providers, practice nurses and regional sports trusts (such as Harbour Sport). MoH describes the GRx initiative as a “health professional’s written advice to a patient or their family to encourage and support them to become more physically active and to eat healthier as part of a total plan.”

Need help ? to get ACTIVE

Ask your doctor or nurse about a Green Prescription today, or phone 0800 ACTIVE (22 84 83)

MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

E V E N TS

Past Events

To read about these events in more detail, go to businessnh.org.nz/category/events.

Identifying, deterring and dealing with shoplifters 5 November 2020 Business Capability Workshop Senior Constable Bradley Sanderson and Constable Chris Byun Attendees heard numerous practical tips (such as having a strong refunds & returns protocol in place and ensuring that all members of staff are aware of this) and commonsense advice. Much more information for business owners is available at police.govt.nz/adviceservices/businesses-and-organisations/ protect-your-business

Beyond the Kitchen with Nadia Lim 19 November 2020 Women in Business, sponsored by Eclipse Recruitment The most popular Women in Business event to date, North Shore Golf Club was at absolute capacity. Nadia’s personal and professional reflections were entertaining and enlightening, with her messages about the importance of values and team clearly striking a chord. Thanks to our event sponsor

Property and the economy post-election 2020 12 November 2020 North Harbour Commercial Property Group, sponsored by Pathfinder Solutions Tony Alexander | Chris Dibble, Colliers International This thought-provoking couple of hours was packed with expert insights, trends and forecasts for North Harbour, Auckland and the country as a whole, including some speculation on the potential longerterm impacts of remote working. Thanks to our event sponsor

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E V E N TS

ONE DAY SALE 20 November 2020 After a turbulent year, it was tremendously rewarding to see thousands of shoppers flocking into North Harbour – some as early as 7.00 am!

Business After 5 2 December 2020 Hosted by Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Corinthian Drive, Albany MSD helps clients prepare and be ready to re-enter the labour market. “And you are pivotal to that,” MSD’s labour market manager Flo Samuels said to the business owners in the room. It is hoped that these events will be a regular fixture in the BNH calendar, and that this burgeoning partnership will be mutually beneficial for MSD and BNH members.

Creating a high performance culture in your business 10 February 2021

Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme 25 November 2020 Launch event Months of planning with Massey University culminated in the official launch of BNH’s Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme. There has been an excellent response to this “women supporting women” initiative, with an initial 15 mentors and mentees. It is already clear that this is a useful and effective initiative, which BNH intends to expand over the coming years.

Business Capability Workshop Ash Baldry, High Performance Profiling At BNH’s first event of the year, Kevin O’Leary said he hoped that this workshop would help business owners “shift the mindset of ‘surviving in 2020’ to ‘thriving in 2021’”. Ash Baldry introduced attendees to DISC “the world’s most advanced behavioural system” and explained how it can be used for the benefit of recruitment, change management, team collaboration, and ongoing professional development. MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

E V E N TS

Diary Dates March

For more information and to register for any of these events, please go to businessnh.org.nz/whats-on/

25-26 Office Inorganic Collection Venue: Across the North Harbour Business Improvement District

11 Business Capability Workshop: Find your formula with Business of Brand

The bi-annual Business North Harbour office inorganic collection is the perfect opportunity to clear out your old office furniture, e-waste and other items cluttering up valuable workspace. Pick-ups are made from your business and will be organised with you directly once you have registered for a collection.

Time: 12.00 pm-2.00 pm Venue: National Hockey Centre, 159 Bush Road, Rosedale When driven by short term revenue, businesses are often focused on pushing their products and their own short term agenda, not a sustainable, equity-based business model truly focused on the needs of their clients. This results in “lurchy” income. There is a better way - a purpose-led approach that takes your customer on a journey of awareness, which can be leveraged and scaled, in order to create long term equity in their business.

April 8 Business Capability Workshop: Business Presentation Skills – A breath of fresh air with David Nottage Time: 12.00 pm-2.00 pm Venue: National Hockey Centre, 159 Bush Road, Rosedale

17 Business Capability Workshop: Exit Planning – How to extract the greatest value when you sell

Be the best you can be. This workshop is designed to be a fun and interactive starting point in developing your natural style as a presenter! To be that breath of fresh air. To be confident and competent whenever you stand and present. This workshop has a high degree of humour and participation! Both will help you to embed the skills, tips and techniques covered.

Time: 5.00 pm-7.00 pm Venue: North Shore Golf Club, 51 Appleby Road, Albany Recent research from Xero indicates that three out of four New Zealand business owners are expecting to sell their businesses in order to fund their retirements, yet “30% don’t believe their business would survive without them, and 47% don’t have an exit plan in place”. (business.govt.nz) Business owners who have put in time, money, blood, sweat and tears into building their business, and who want to extract the greatest value when they sell, should not miss this event.

25 Showcase North Harbour Time: 10.00 am-4.00 pm Venue: National Hockey Centre, 159 Bush Road, Rosedale Align your organisation alongside the very best at Showcase North Harbour. Formally known as Business Expo, this is Business North Harbour’s signature B2B exhibition and business networking event. Come and be inspired, enlightened, and grow your business networks.

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Business Capability Workshop: Boost Employee Ownership for Greater Productivity with Dale Carnegie Time: 12.00 pm-2.00 pm Venue: National Hockey Centre, 159 Bush Road, Rosedale Building an engaged workforce isn’t easy. In this workshop facilitated by Dale Carnegie, we will: • Review the current state of employee engagement in the workplace, including how companies and leaders are currently approaching engagement. • Learn important keys to enabling leaders to do their part in improving ownership and enhanced productivity within their organisations. • Discover how to harness discretionary effort. • Share ideas for moving forward.

14 First on the Scene First Aid Workshop with St John Time: 1.00 pm-3:00 pm Venue: Business North Harbour, 12 Parkway Drive, Rosedale St John has designed a two-hour workshop to up-skill staff. Attendees will be shown how to deal with the five most common situations they are likely to encounter in their workplace environment which could be a cardiac arrest, a falling injury, or a person cut and badly bleeding. The aim of this workshop is to up-skill staff to compliment, or assist, your fully trained first aiders. Business North Harbour members $40.00 plus GST and non-members $50.00 plus GST

May 26 Business Lunch: Sustainability and Environmental Leadership in Business Time: 12.00 pm-2.00 pm Venue: National Hockey Centre, 159 Bush Road, Rosedale MP for Auckland Central and Green Party member Chlöe Swarbrick is one of our guest presenters. She will be joined by presenters from the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and other local business leaders who are succeeding in their respective fields by incorporating best practice sustainability and environmental initiatives throughout their business operations.

27 Mental Health First Aid Workshop with St John Time: 12.00 pm-4:15 pm Venue: Business North Harbour, 12 Parkway Drive, Rosedale Learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health issues in work colleagues, friends and family members. Using a variety of best practice learning methods, including discussions, videos and scenario work, this course is ideal for anyone wanting to help recognise mental distress and what they can do to help. Business North Harbour members $85.00 plus GST and non-members $95.00 plus GST

AS I A N B U S I N E SS MAT T E R S

North Harbour Asian Business Group 30 November 2020 Franky Wang, Head of Asian Business Activation, BNZ Shannon Xu, Business Development Manager, Pure SEO “Kia ora. 欢迎。Welcome to this, the inaugural North Harbour Asian Business Group event.” General manager Kevin O’Leary’s and BNH ambassador Jess Huang provided a bi-lingual introduction to this event. North Harbour’s Asian business community is integral to the region’s overall economic success, so Kevin and Jess also expressed the hope that attendees would feel encouraged to attend more BNH events, not limited to this new group. Franky Wang offered a warm te reo greeting, and gave an overview of China and New Zealand’s business history, including the positive impact of the 2008 New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Franky helps customers in their key business growth areas, including New Zealand export connections into Asia. Shannon Xu shared numerous practical tips about search engine optimisation (SEO) discussing both paid and organic options. She also presented a useful comparison of different types of advertising on Facebook, LinkedIn and WeChat. On 26 February (just as FYI was going to print) the North Harbour Asian Business Group was enjoying its Chinese New Year luncheon at North Shore Golf Club to welcome the Year of the Ox. Look out for photos in the next issue.

North Harbour亚洲企业交流活动 2020年11月30日

演讲嘉宾：

Franky Wang, Head of Asian Business Activation, BNZ Shannon Xu, Business Development Manager, Pure SEO

“Kia ora，欢迎。欢迎大家来到首次North Harbour亚洲企业交流活动，” Business North Harbour（BNH）总经理Kevin O’Leary及职员Jess Huang用中英文向会员作开场。亚洲企业是North Habour 地区商业的重要组成部分，同时BNH也鼓励亚洲企业会员更活跃地参加区内的其它活动。

接下来，Franky Wang用毛利语向到场嘉宾们作诚挚的问候。然后，他从中新两国商业交流历史开始，包括2008年签订的中国－新西兰自由贸易协定的影响，分享了他协助客户在新西兰发展业务的经验，包括向亚洲国家出口等。

随后，Shannon Xu给大家带来了关于搜索引擎优化（SEO）的实操经验及心得，并介绍了不同社交媒体平台的付费广告特点，包括Facebook, LinkedIn和微信等。在2月26日，BNH将举办一场亚洲企业春节午宴，共同欢庆牛年的到来。请与我们一起期待下一期的精彩图片及报道。

MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

A DV O CACY

Have your say on Auckland’s 10-year budget Members will be aware that for around 18 months Business North Harbour (BNH) has been working on a major advocacy initiative, scoping the feasibility of a collaborative approach to the development of the wider North Shore. The Shore Unity project, following a mandate from members at the AGM to proceed, has taken a significant step forward with the formation of a business-led working group. This group’s initial assignment is to agree and prioritise the outcomes and associated tasks highlighted in the final report, leading, over time, to the development of an integrated plan which will form the platform for advocacy to central and local government and other identified key stakeholders. This is the start of what I am hoping will develop into an exciting long-term project regarding which BNH will keep you regularly updated. Please view the full report at businessnh.org.nz/shore-unity BNH has already identified the need for members to participate in Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget 2021-2031 (Long Term Plan) consultation, which closes on 22 March 2021. We have issued a member survey relating to

this which you can access via our website. A brief summary of the proposed Mayoral 10-year Budget 2021-2031, on which your views are sought, includes: • Locking in $90m of savings • Selling surplus properties to realise $70m • Increasing debt to 290 per cent for three years • A 3.5 per cent annual increase in average general rates (with a one-off increase of 5 per cent for 2021/22) • $150m in climate change commitments

There are also a number of other proposals which will affect you and your property or business. So please make sure you have your say before the deadline by going to akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ about-the-10-year-budget BNH continues to advocate on behalf of our members via a number of different platforms, with the theme of continuing to buy local and utilise locally available goods and services being a common thread. A number of articles have been published highlighting the need to support our local businesses, as collectively we look to recover stronger and re-establish

a thriving local economy. These articles can be viewed on our website at businessnh.org. nz/category/media-releases Another issue that we have drawn attention to is the frustration for many businesses and consumers alike of the continued problem of goods being marooned in containers on ships instead of being available for purchase, a situation which we believe is completely unacceptable. I sincerely hope that a solution to this issue can be found sooner rather than later, so that businesses and consumers can return to an appropriate level of supply and demand that will serve to effectively stimulate local economic recovery. Following a submission last year to the Upper Harbour Local Board (UHLB) Plan which has now been adopted, BNH successfully initiated a meeting in January with UHLB and Auckland Unlimited (formerly ATEED) to discuss and agree a collaborative approach whenever possible, to providing support for local economic development through the development of resources and other initiatives. Moving forward, BNH will continue to dedicate time and resources to advocating for the best possible outcomes for our members whenever opportunities arise.

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B U S I N E SS S U CC E SS : C H A R G E N E T

At the forefront of the EVolution When Steve West first discussed the idea of creating an electric vehicle (EV) charging network in New Zealand he was met largely with scepticism and bemusement. Six years on, ChargeNet is arguably the reason why New Zealand has one of the world’s highest number of charging points per capita, beaten only by “global leaders” like Norway (where three out of four cars sold in 2020 had a charging socket, either as pure electric or plug-in hybrid). The reality of ChargeNet was born from the dream of a road trip. Steve always had a passion for cars and the environment and so, having bought a Tesla, he decided to drive it from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Not only did he quickly learn that there was no infrastructure to support this, he also discovered there were no plans for any charging network on the horizon. Co-founding the business with his own money, Steve took a leap of faith; there were only 500 EVs registered in New Zealand at the time. ChargeNet’s first 50kW charging station went “live” in October 2015 at Jacques’ Four Square in Kaiwaka. The initial goal was to have 100 rapid-chargers in place by the end of 2019. In fact, this target was far exceeded. The current total is 220, with a new charger installed at the rate of about one per fortnight. And, EV registrations have increased to close to 25,000. In August 2020, at a cost of nearly $500,000 and with support from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, ChargeNet introduced the country’s fastest EV chargers at the Bombay Service Centre. These 300kW hyperchargers can add hundreds of kilometres of driving range in just 10 minutes and are capable of charging three EVs simultaneously. “It’s one of the most common complaints we hear: longer journeys aren’t practical because it takes too long to charge or there is queueing en route,” says ChargeNet’s marketing and communications manager, Bailey Gorst. “These hyperchargers should definitely help to overcome this barrier.” Whilst Covid-19 was a hindrance to the hypercharger project, with worldwide logistics being significantly affected, it nonetheless gave the ChargeNet team an opportunity to focus on future plans and strategy. The roll-out is well underway again now, with about 20 new charging stations planned for 2021, a combination of 25kW, 50kW and 300kW. Covid-19 had another major effect on the network too. “While the country was at Level 4, we saw a 90 per cent drop in network usage, as vehicle movements were heavily restricted. But

Awards and accreditations Sustainable Business Networks 2020: Sustainability Superstar Award

Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards 2017: Innovation in Energy Award

EECA Awards 2016: Z Energy Transport Award

NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2016: Communicating Sustainability Steve West

EVCCON 2015: Electric Vehicle Evangelist of the Year

it’s been wonderful to see Kiwis out and about exploring our beautiful country, and there was a massive year-on-year increase in charging sessions across the fast-charging network over the Christmas period,” she confirms.

ChargeNet is arguably the reason why New Zealand has one of the world’s highest number of charging points per capita ChargeNet has always been based in North Harbour, first in Ride Way and now in Piermark Drive, and, in just three years, has grown its team from four to 16. One of the key business challenges is the same today as it was in 2015: knowledge gaps. “What we hear quite often is people are reluctant to switch to an EV because there aren’t any charging points!” smiles Bailey. “The cost of vehicles is also an issue. Hopefully, with the government announcing those ambitious targets for 2032, there will be some price incentives to help more Kiwis make the change.” Bailey confirms that the government’s targets have certainly created “a buzz” and

a “sense of urgency” for some businesses. Could the resulting increase in enquiries for installs potentially cause its own problems? Might there be too much demand? Bailey says not. “80 per cent of the energy in New Zealand comes from renewable sources, and, if the smelters were turned off, the other 20 per cent would be immediately available. The country is well-placed to further harness hydro, wind and solar power – and be what we already claim to be: a clean, green country.” To start and grow a business like ChargeNet requires the courage to take a long-term view. Once a site has been earmarked, levels of demand and supply have to be investigated. Some sites require council consent, and others are installed with the full knowledge that they may never pay for themselves, but are nevertheless an essential part of the overall network – for example, Arthur’s Pass, which might be used once or twice a day. In November 2020, Steve West received the Sustainability Superstar Award which is presented to “a person who has gone above and beyond to bring about sustainability change in Aotearoa New Zealand”. In typically modest fashion, Steve said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised at the Sustainable Business Awards. Many of us are making personal sacrifices for the greater good. As a personal passion, I’m just glad to have helped drive the growth of electric vehicles in New Zealand.” MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

CO V E R STO RY

New Zealand’s changing workforce Why recognising employees’ core values could be a key to business success Millennials are now the predominant generation in the New Zealand workforce, with Gen Z also now just starting to make their influence felt. As Deloitte was working on its 2020 Millennial Survey, the World Health Organization reported a “cluster of pneumonia cases” in China’s Hubei province. As the world changed before their eyes, the survey team members realised that the data gathered was quickly becoming obsolete. They therefore quickly developed and administered a “pulse” survey to approximately half as many people as the original survey, so that the effects of a global pandemic on the opinions of millennials and Gen Z could be gauged. A key section of the research sought views about “The changing nature of work”. FYI approached Deloitte New Zealand’s capital partner Lauren Foster to share some insights and explain how these could assist business owners in North Harbour. Recognising the need to adapt to suit the new generations of workers and the possibilities of advancing technology, many New Zealand businesses were already well underway to thinking about the changing nature of work in early 2020. However, Covid-19 accelerated this thinking and forced changes such as the adoption of digital collaboration tools, like MS Teams and Zoom, to happen almost overnight (as discussed in FYI November 2020). “Whilst it was not and is not possible for every job 12

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Gen Z Born 1997-2012

Millennial Born 1981-1996

Gen X Born 1965-1980

Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964

NZ Employment Count (000s) (30 September 2020) Before 1956

1956-1965

1966-1975

1976-1985

1986-1995

1996-2005

Total

185.2

466.7

554.1

539.4

614.2

341

2701 Figures from MBIE.

60 per cent of respondents... indicated they would like the option of working remotely more frequently.

to be done remotely, more than 60 per cent of respondents to our survey indicated they would like the option of working remotely more frequently,” says Lauren. “Additionally, many said they preferred videoconferencing over travelling for work – citing better work/ life balance, as well as reducing their environmental impact as key reasons for this.” She concludes therefore that businesses should ensure they have the digital capabilities to allow employees to stay connected and fulfil their work requirements no matter where they are working from. “It’s also essential to ensure employees can work remotely and effectively by providing them with the necessary training, education and development opportunities.” When and where work gets done is only part of the changing nature of work. “More

CO V E R STO RY mature organisations are striving to provide flexibility and autonomy for how and what work is performed, building networks of teams and technology to augment work and collaborate in ways that deliver the best outcomes for customers, business and employees.” Even in a constantly changing world, millennials and Gen Z are holding true to their core values. “The most successful organisations will be those that actively seek to design employee experiences, promote the organisation’s culture, and work with employees to develop various options for work. Businesses should actively engage in regular dialogue with their employees to gather their viewpoints and hear their concerns and understand how these can enable the organisation to deliver on its business strategy.”

GRAPHS ARE © THE DELOITTE GLOBAL MILLENNIAL SURVEY 2020 AND USED WITH PERMISSION.

To cater for the most diverse range of people, organisations will need to offer choices... Millennials report high levels of stress, with 48 per cent of the New Zealand respondents saying they feel anxious or stressed all or most of the time. “When we asked about the reasons for concern, climate change and the environment, safety, and income inequality were the top three issues.” Lauren suggests that employee experiences need to be “re-architected to consider the ‘moments that matter’ in an environment where everyone is working differently”. She highlights several areas, such as employee onboarding, coaching and development opportunities, which need to be considered to ensure all team members – regardless of their decisions around how and when they work – have a good employee experience. “Additionally, by focusing on designing the experience around improved wellbeing outcomes, organisations are contributing to healthier, happier and more engaged employees.” Related to this, employers are beginning to score better on questions surrounding investment in training and skills, as well as their positive impact on communities and the environment. “Ensuring these trends continue and organisations are highlighting their activities in these areas will be key to attracting and retaining talent from the millennial and Gen Z generations.” To cater for the most diverse range of people, organisations will need to offer choices – which work for both the employee and the employer. These allow for the preferences between generations, but also other aspects, such as cultural needs and stages of life. “Rather than implement a

To what extent do you agree with the following statements about working from home/a remote location, rather than working from your employer’s premises/offices?

Creating a diverse and inclusive working environment

71% 71%

Having a positive impact on local communities

69% 70%

Financial performance/profits

69% 69%

Providing a motivating and stimulating working environment

67% 69%

Employee satisfaction

66% 69%

Supporting people’s development through training, mentors, etc.

65% 68%

Attracting and retaining the people it needs

63% 67%

Millennials Gen Z

61% 63%

Reducing/limiting its impact on the environment

Millennials and Gen Z are taking action to protect the environment. Employers should consider how they can support their team’s priorities and endeavours.

Begun/increased my efforts to recycle

65% 57%

Taken steps to reduce my own use of single-use plastics

64% 55% 58% 55%

Increased my use of public transport/walked or biked more often Dedicated some of my time toward improving the local environment

one-size-fits-all approach, it’s best to create policies that give everyone access to options, which they can then tailor for their role and personal preferences. Furthermore, it is important to find ways of working that allow for collaboration and connection between teams. “There will always be those who prefer in-person meetings and those who would rather use a video conference. Finding ways to balance this will be important to ensure the cohesiveness of teams and the quality of outputs.” On the subject of mental wellbeing, when Deloitte asked New Zealand millennials if stress was a legitimate reason to take time

34% 28%

off work, 62 per cent agreed that it was, compared to only 50 per cent globally. “This could be down to conversations taking place in New Zealand about the importance of mental health and it tells us that millennials are clear on what they need to manage their own wellbeing,” considers Lauren. However, work remains to be done by leaders to ensure the millennial and Gen Z generations are confident that they can seek and receive the support they need to be successful in a professional setting. “Only 44 per cent of millennials globally who took time off work because of stress or anxiety issues admitted that was the reason to their MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

CO V E R STO RY employers. And interestingly, millennials who were candid about their absences were three times as likely to say their organisations provided strong mental health support. This suggests that employers who encourage open dialogues about mental health are more likely to have happier, better performing employees who ultimately want to stay with their organisation for longer.” Percentage of millennials who expect to leave [their employer] in the next two years

2020

31%

2019

2018

2017

2016

49%

43%

38%

44%

What about the stereotype that millennials are “job hoppers”? Deloitte’s recent findings go some way to debunking this cliché. “For the first time since asking the question in 2016, we saw millennials want to stay with employers for more than five years rather than leave within two years,” Lauren remarks. She says that much of the credit for this goes to employers for their work to address the values of their generation – as well as their efforts to create cultures of lifelong learning. “Covid-19 may also impact loyalty as people seek stability in an unstable world. Whether this will last once the borders open up remains to be seen – employers can protect against this by ensuring they are prioritising the development of inclusive cultures that emphasise skills and training as well as having a positive impact on the world around them.”

How Covid-19 is affecting the local labour market Although millennials are the most significant chunk of the labour force, at BNH’s first joint event with Ministry of Social Development (MSD), it was confirmed that the pandemic has driven an extra 70,000 New Zealanders towards accessing the welfare system. People who would not normally have visited an MSD office – until it was time to sort out their pension – have been coming through the doors. These include highly qualified professionals and others from all walks of life, which means that there is an extended pool of talent that local business owners can tap into. Unfortunately, a general lack of awareness about MSD’s services may be detrimental to employers and potential employees alike. Flo Samuels is the MSD’s regional labour market manager for Auckland. “Our employment teams are focused on keeping businesses operating and helping people into jobs of their choice or move closer towards the labour market.” This is just a very brief summary of some of MSD’s services for businesses: • A no-fee recruitment service to help find the right candidate • To connect employers with candidates who are an appropriate fit for the business needs and priorities, MSD can advertise a vacancy, shortlist and help with the interview process. • Training or wage subsidies for new staff • Flexi-wage can support wages or training costs for up to 52 weeks. • Mana in Mahi helps employees work towards a recognised industry qualification. Depending upon the participant’s training pathway, the subsidy is payable for up to 24 months.

• Apprenticeship Boost is a payment to help employers keep or take on new apprentices. It is available until April 2022. • Ongoing support and advice to help new staff settle into their role • Additional support for candidates with a health condition or disability, including wage subsidies, workplace modifications or on-the-job assistance Flo says that training support is also available for job seekers. “We can help candidates gain industry-specific skills or provide funding to help with short-term pre-employment training.” For much more detailed information, go to: • msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/business/ index.html • workandincome.govt.nz/employers • connected.govt.nz/find-staff

Contact the local MSD office in Corinthian Drive on 0800 559 009. And keep an eye on BNH’s calendar for details of future MSD events.

Naturally Organic When Naturally Organic was looking to recruit a health food assistant for its lifestyle store and café in Northridge Plaza, owner Neil Thomas sought help from MSD. “There’s so much uncertainty around at the moment, and using MSD gave us the option of a flexi-wage subsidy for the role. We realised that experienced people who had unfortunately been made redundant would be on the MSD’s books. So, rather than going through Seek – and having to sift through perhaps 200 applications – we met with the MSD team who made the whole process really easy. We provided the job description and they screened, shortlisted and filled it, and also arranged the flexi-wage grant. We welcomed Shelley* to our team in early December. I hadn’t been aware of MSD’s other support services for businesses. I’ll be keeping in touch with them more to investigate what else is on offer. In these challenging times, it’s great to be able to save money and time with their help.”

*Name changed for privacy reasons

M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

Neil Thomas

CRIME PREVENTION

Don’t let the scammers get their hooks in you These are my first comments since the start of the new year, and so much has happened in just a couple of months. I wanted to discuss crime prevention in respect of fraud, something that has been topical in recent months and something that we all need to be aware of. Our access to the Internet has never been so easy. The use of mobile devices is brilliant and makes life so much more convenient. But, as with most things, there is a negative aspect to this convenience: crime. Specifically, we’re talking about fraud committed by tech savvy criminals looking to prey on us, using a moment’s lapse of concentration to gain access to our bank accounts and personal details. Both private individuals and companies are targets for these offenders. There are a couple of terms that you will have heard in the media: Phishing: e-mails purporting to have been sent by banks or reputable companies asking for you to click on a link contained within the email. These e-mails will claim that out of urgency you need to “click the link”. The messages and requests are fictitious, and these links are designed to harvest your banking credentials and personal information. Smishing: the same as phishing but the fictitious request is sent via text message. Again, these texts containing links that, if clicked on, will allow the offenders to harvest your banking and personal information. Once the offenders have access to your information, they will transfer funds from your accounts to third party accounts in New Zealand or overseas. Remember: your bank will never ask you to supply personal information such as login

Your bank will never ask you to supply personal information such as login codes or PIN numbers via email or text. codes or PIN numbers via email or text. If you have clicked on a link or you think your details may have been compromised, you need to contact your bank immediately. This type of crime is on the rise and can obviously have a dramatic impact on you, your business and your whānau. As always, prevention is far better than the cure. Please take simple steps to protect yourself by thinking carefully about requests for information, and always call your bank if you receive such an e-mail or text message.

Your bank can also provide you with more specific prevention advice and answer any further questions you may have. Senior Sergeant Scott Cunningham Area Youth & Communities Manager Waitemata East Area | Waitematā District 021 191 4421 scott.cunningham@police.govt.nz Waitemata East Area HQ, 52 Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland www.police.govt.nz

Update from Dave Loader, Business North Harbour’s crime prevention specialist I am pleased to say that, following our meetings with the North Shore Police, the Christmas and New Year period saw very little crime being reported from our members during this vulnerable time of the year when most businesses are closed. Likewise, Armourguard’s nightly security patrols, which are contracted by Business North Harbour (BNH), had no major incidents to record or deal with. While there were a few reported incidents related to vehicle crime and shoplifting, the overall results of providing a nightly security presence, along with the police and community patrols, meant our business area didn’t suffer from unacceptable numbers of incidents. We encourage businesses to remain vigilant and to please get in touch if you require any additional support (for example, to enquire about anti-theft number plate screws for fleet and staff vehicles). For more information about this and other BNH safety and security initiatives, go to businessnh.org.nz/safer-business MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

T RA N S P O RT

Over time, the scheme would be expanded along the

A potential timetable to introduce a comprehensive

most congested roads and motorways, to coincide with

congestion pricing scheme would be in the order of ten

Could congestion charging ease Auckland’s roading woes? public transport and additional corridor improvements.

years as indicated in the map in Figure 2.

Subsequent phases, depending again on geographic

coverage of each phase, may take 6–18 months for each rollout.

The Congestion Question

Figure 2: Indicative phases of an Auckland congestion pricing scheme

Main findings July 2020

Central government and Auckland Council officials have been working together for several years on a project called The Congestion Question (TCQ). The purpose of the project is to undertake a thorough investigation, sufficient to support a decision on whether or not to introduce congestion pricing on part or all of Auckland’s road network. Congestion pricing is a method used to ease congestion by directly charging road users at different times or locations, depending on how congested the roads are. The goal is to encourage some users to change the time, route, or method of travel — or they could choose not to travel at all. This is known as “demand management” and results in better use of the road network. Released in late 2020, TCQ’s report found a congestion pricing system could reduce congestion in Auckland by around 8 to12 per cent when fully implemented, similar to travel experienced during the school holidays. Officials have found that a larger “strategic corridors” scheme would be the most beneficial option for congestion pricing in Auckland, and could be phased in. Initially starting in the city centre, it could be expanded in stages to align with planned public transport service improvements and infrastructure investment over the next ten years. The first phase, based around the city centre area, could be introduced to coincide with the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL). Then, over time, the congestion pricing scheme should be introduced along the most congested corridors, with the implementation timetable informed by the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). Two potential sources of efficiency gains are identified: 1. Deadweight losses: static classical models of congestion show that road pricing can reduce the deadweight losses (also known as excess burdens) that arise from excess demand and the resultant congestion externalities. 2. Monetisation of delays: dynamic bottleneck models of congestion show that congestion pricing monetises delays and encourages drivers to adjust departure times.

TCQ research, supported by extensive traffic modelling, indicates that congestion charges should vary by time bands, starting with a lower charge to travel during the shoulder period ($1.50), rising to a higher charge for peak period travel ($3.50). As a comparison, the proposed peak charge aligns with an adult two-zone public transport fare using an AT HOP card. There would be no 16

Please note that boundaries are indicative only

A summary of The Congestion Question report and its findings, by Sarah de Zwart

M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

Indicative phases of an Auckland congestion pricing scheme

Key: Phase 1 – 2025

ALBANY

Phase 2 – 2028 Phase 3 – Post 2028 GLENFIELD

TAKAPUNA

MASSEY

AUCKLAND

TE ATATU SOUTH

PARNELL NEWMARKET GLEN INNES

HENDERSON MOUNT ALBERT MOUNT WELLINGTON

NEW LYNN

HOWICK

ONEHUNGA

EAST TAMAKI FLAT BUSH

MANGERE PAPATOETOE MANUKAU

Business trip impacts Consistent with international evidence, the social assessment modelling exercise suggests that business related trips would enjoy a net $20 million benefit from the congestion charge. This is because reduced congestion on the road network generates travel time savings to businesses that exceed the costs of paying the congestion charge.

charge for travel during the inter-peak or off-peak periods and charges would apply only Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Motorists would incur the highest charge detected within a two-hour “journey window” to recognise the multi-purpose nature of many trips. Heavy vehicles would pay double the charges incurred by light vehicles. Emergency vehicles, buses, motorcycles, scooters and unpowered vehicles would be exempt from the charge. The report mentions that no decision has yet been made about what the revenue from a congestion pricing scheme would be used for, although it is likely it would be used to fund the operation of the scheme and invested in transport infrastructure and services for Auckland. It has been suggested that the scheme could potentially replace or subsidise the Regional Fuel Tax.

MANUREWA TAKANINI

PAPAKURA

Mitigation measures Daily charging caps could apply so that Congestion Reportno | 24 motorist faces a daily charge greater than twice the highest peak-period charge. Financially vulnerable users should be provided with a discount on the congestion charges they incur. TCQ identified that the Community Services Card could be an appropriate existing mechanism for identifying those users. Additional mitigation measures could be introduced following implementation, depending on the scheme’s observed social and financial impacts.

How might it work in practice? Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and supporting software have already been proven by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for open road tolling, and this type of technology could be readily applied for congestion pricing. Smartphones, while not a feasible option for vehicle identification and charging, can provide a user-friendly channel for payment and account management. A future move to utilise global navigation satellite system (GNSS6) technology could be made once current challenges with the technology are overcome. To read the report in full visit businessnh.org.nz/traffic-transport

T RA N S P O RT

Projects delayed

Supporting Growth 7

sC oas t Hw y

Millwater

alle

V Pine

sc u ibi

aR āo

ng ha a p

Silverdale West

Silverdale

Whangaparāoa

2 5 15 d

10 1 4

4 11

den Rd Baw

Bawden Rd

iry

Fla

Okura

Bla

R st oa st C Ea

rid

Jackson Wa y

Stillwater

Dairy Flat

ckb

Redvale

14 Postm an Rd

18 Pen link

Fla

East Coast R d

Kahi ka tea

wy Kenn

Du re y

n Rd

Gree

y Rd

d ohi R A w an Rd

Pedestrian refuge outside 115 Apollo Drive (St John Ambulance and Training Centre)

To show the journey times, and improve event and incident management within the North Harbour area

3 Rd

Red Beach Milldale

To provide safe crossing on the doublelaned road for pedestrians who park in Hooton Reserve to shop and/or eat on the other side

Electronic signage on Constellation Drive

i Rd ha

Bank sid e

Pedestrian crossing on Oteha Valley Road outside Hooton Reserve

To assist commuters who travelled by bus and local pedestrians to safely cross the road

Orewa

nd D r

4 8

i Rd W a i nu

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whānau. Subsequently, the council introduced an Emergency Budget which reduced AT’s budget. In turn, this has affected the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and AT partnership “Te Tupu Ngatahi Supporting Growth”. Its projects are to support the infrastructure required to carry out the route protection process and protect land for future networks for all new housing developments within the greater Auckland area. The partnership has had to re-prioritise and, unfortunately, north and north-western projects including Warkworth, Silverdale, Dairy Flat and Wainui, Redhills and Whenuapai have now been put on hold.

Ko w

Wainui East

BNH has been advocating on members’ behalf and is pleased to confirm that Auckland Transport (AT) has agreed to proceed with the Ramp Road roading project. However, BNH is disappointed to report that Covid-19 has disrupted several other roading projects which previously had been greenlit for 2020. Supporting Growth

3 Gr a

Al b a n

ei g

4 2 5 1

Browns Bay

erhea dH -Riv wy Coa t esv i lle

Albany

KILOMETRES

BNH will, of course, update members on these and other projects in a timely manner. If you have any queries about public transport, roading or car parking in North Harbour, please e-mail Sarah de Zwart at transport@businessnh.org.nz

HELP REDUCE LANDFILL

OFFICE INORGANIC COLLECTION

Reusables /// E-Waste /// General Inorganic

25th & 26th March

Only $45 plus GST per cubic metre collected

*Minimum charge of $45 plus GST applies

R E G I ST RAT I O N S

19 T H

businessnh.org.nz/inorganiccollection Contact Dave: david@businessnh.org.nz

MARCH

P RO F E SS I O N A L D E V E LO PM E N T : D R I V E L I N E F L E E T

The time to focus on cash is now! Over the past few weeks, we have been contacting our existing clients as a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis. We have been working closely with them to put together, not only some relief packages to get them through the next three to six months, but also some great finance deals on new and, more interestingly, second-hand cars including ex-lease and ex-rentals. “Cash is king” at the moment, with everyone’s main concerns being: how do we preserve, protect and manage cash flow better? There is no more appropriate time than now to review how we manage a fleet going forward. A great example of this is the question around upgrading a vehicle with a “new vs second-hand option”. Enquiries on secondhand leasing are up over 400 per cent in the last few weeks. With more than 40,000 rental vehicles hitting the market soon, along with the normal run of ex-lease vehicles coming on line each month, second-hand vehicles present some excellent savings, not only with finance or lease costs but also fringe benefit tax (FBT) savings which are often overlooked. Call the team at Driveline for some great ideas and initiatives that the team have been working on with our clients. Our amazing

Driveline directors, Lance Manins and Paul Tobin

“Cash is king” at the moment, with everyone’s main concerns being: how do we preserve, protect and manage cash flow better?

bunch of consultants will point you in the right direction. Driveline offers New Zealanders smart, customised approaches to vehicle sourcing, leasing and finance. Covering everything you need, we were formed in 2001 to provide a complete vehicle supply and finance service for our customers – from establishing requirements to sourcing the perfect commercial or private vehicle, fleet, trucks, heavy equipment or capital equipment, whether new or used, and we can organise the accessories, fit-outs, sign-writing, warranties and financing.

Not affiliated with any car manufacturers, Driveline’s only obligation is to you, the customer. This means that, unlike car dealerships or big financing companies, we are never locked in to one specific make, model or payment plan. The client’s needs always dictate the final result. Now that’s refreshing! With a focus on individual clients and the small-to-medium business market (one to 60 vehicle fleets), Driveline provides expertise to organisations and people who may not have the experience or in-house fleet management resources. We give you complete confidence in financing your next vehicle, with independent and expert advice and flexible finance packages. Our experienced consultants can help you figure out what’s the best vehicle for you. They go to market to negotiate the best deal for that vehicle and finally they work through the right finance option for you and your business. 0800 275 374 www.driveline.co.nz 18

M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

P RO F E SS I O N A L D E V E LO PM E N T : PAT H F I N D E R SO L U T I O N S

The mechanics of sustained business success Murray and Bonnie Wells are the owner-operators of Golf and Turf Ltd in Wairau Park. They specialise in the repair and service of ride-on and walk-behind mowers, utility vehicles, and compact tractors. In 2017, after seven years of continual growth, they were exhausted and at a crossroads. “I think this is something many small and medium-sized business owners face,” says Bonnie. “Should we try to improve our cash flow and keep growing, or should we drop back?” At that opportune moment, she spotted one of Pathfinder Solutions’ seminars. “I think the headline was ‘Pay yourself first’ – which sounded like a great idea!” Bonnie attended and was immediately struck by their no-nonsense approach. “They said, ‘If we don’t do what we need to do, sack us. If you don’t do what you need to do, we’ll sack you.’ It was obvious they meant business,” she laughs. Working with Pathfinder Solutions’ chartered accountants and advisors, Bonnie and Murray have been able to continue their business growth and protect their hard-earned assets. Their cash flow has been significantly boosted, and their systems are far more efficient. Productivity (in terms of chargeable hours) has increased by about 30 per cent, resulting in an improved bottom line. This has been further complemented by some astute commercial and financial restructuring advice, so that Murray and Bonnie’s business and personal assets are better protected. “Because the team at Pathfinder Solutions relate to us, they show us the numbers in a palatable way,” explains Bonnie. “There’s no terminology, just straight-talking, practical guidance that delivers results.” Murray has actually freed up time in his schedule, which meant that he and Bonnie could even take a holiday, feeling confident about leaving the business safely in the hands of their team.

Pathfinder Solutions' Richard Orsbourn with Murray Wells

“Pathfinder Solutions have made a huge difference to our bottom line. They’ve given everyone here the confidence and support we need to sustain a thriving business. I just wish I’d met them years ago!” Pathfinder Solutions has also provided a “middle ground” where ideas can be raised and objectively weighed-up. Bonnie values their broad perspective and analytical thinking. “It’s easy to doubt yourself when you have an idea for your own business.

Having these energised, smart people working with us feels great. They give us greater confidence in our decisions, our own working relationship is stronger, and we know the business is heading in a better direction.”

Advisory that changes lives

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09 869 2356 info@pathfindersolutions.co.nz Level 2, B:Hive, 74 Taharoto Rd, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 www.pathfindersolutions.co.nz MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

CO M M U N I T Y

Nourishing the lives of Kiwi kids KidsCan believes that education is a child’s ticket out of poverty, and gives them the opportunity for a better future. However, children cannot learn when they are cold, wet and hungry, and the sad reality is that one in five Kiwi children are affected by poverty. This kind of hardship can impact their mental and physical health and their educational growth. KidsCan currently partners with more than 820 low decile schools around the country. In term one of 2021 alone, the charity is distributing 1.6 million servings of Heart Foundation approved food to schools. These servings typically include breakfast items (fruit salad, yogurt, breads and spread, baked beans), snacks (Scroggin mix, healthy muesli bars) and hot lunches (soup, pasta, and butter chicken – the children’s favourite!). KidsCan also works with more than 100 early childhood education centres (ECEs). The programme, the only one of its kind in New Zealand, gives all children a jacket, shoes and socks, access to health products, and fresh healthy lunches like stir fry or veggie curry.

The charity’s ECE programme began in 2018 and researchers from University of Waikato found: • Good nutrition and warm clothing meant children were more engaged in learning, with increased energy and attention spans. • There were fewer minor health issues, like coughs and colds, leading to reduced sickness absences. • Centres who had been providing food themselves instead spent money on educational resources, improved their environments, and devoted more time to teaching. Demand for KidsCan’s support further increased in 2020, as families struggled with the fallout from Covid-19. Speaking last November, CEO Julie Chapman said: “Schools are telling us that some students are juggling their school work with jobs to support their families. Others are increasingly disengaged from both hunger and anxiety.

“Healthy kids. Healthy minds. Better future. Let’s help and give hope to those Kiwi kids who need it the most and make our country’s future brighter!”

Teachers say some children are just in survival mode, meaning education has become ‘a luxury’. Teachers have been baking, making sandwiches and even stews using their own money. Principals are op shopping for clothes. One school held a mufti day to fundraise for breakfast food. This is a heavy burden for schools to carry and we’re pleased to be able to lift some of that from them.”

Help Kiwi kids reach their potential: support a child in need KidsCan’s work is not possible without the support of generous Kiwis. With their help, the organisation can make New Zealand a better place for our tamariki. A $30 monthly donation helps to: • Provide nutritious breakfast, snack and lunch foods to 40,000 hungry children a day • Give children their own jacket, shoes and socks • Support under-5s at an early childhood centre to play and learn

Why SCRATCHPAD chose to support KidsCan SCRATCHPAD, which has a branch in William Pickering Drive, is a group of technology learning centres, teaching coding, robotics/ electronics, 3D design, graphic design and many more and want kids to become creators of technology rather than just users. “As both KidsCan and SCRATCHPAD share a similar passion for our future generation, it is a pleasure to associate with them. Both organisations are working to make a difference in the betterment of our future generation and their impact on the community.” E-mail: info@kidscan.org.nz Phone: (09) 478 1525 kidscan.org.nz

Volunteer teams picking and packing KidsCan’s term one food parcels. 20

M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

S U STA I N A B I L I T Y

55 Corinthian Drive: a landmark building (in more ways than one) With its distinctive “pineapple” architectural feature, 55 Corinthian Drive is one of the most eye-catching properties on the North Shore. It was the prominent location alongside SH1 which prompted APEC Property Development to re-think its original plan for the site. “When we bought the land in 2013, we intended it for a light industrial warehouse,” explains managing director Lawrance Yu. “But that building was going to be many people’s first glimpse of the Albany area – a gateway, if you like. That’s why we decided to raise the bar, represent the quality of the businesses in this region, and set the future tone of local property development.” 55 Corinthian Drive is the North Shore’s first and only five-star Green Star building. Having earned this rating for “design”, the target is to achieve it also for “as built”. “We were assessed on the environmental impact that is a direct consequence of the building’s site selection, design, construction and maintenance. The ‘green strategies’ that we put in place must provide tangible financial and energy savings and, therefore, environmental benefits,” Lawrance explains.

What does this mean in practical terms for tenants and the surrounding area? The energy consumption of this “intelligent building” is monitored in real-time via its custom-designed building management system. This can also be used to control and schedule plant operation, and immediately identify potential glitches.

Sixteen dedicated EV charging points

20-30m2, so that office workers can control the temperature in their own space. The outdoor air AHUs efficiently control interior CO2 levels, achieving air quality 50 per cent higher than standard building code requirements. “It’s proven that staff wellbeing, morale and productivity are improved by optimal air quality, temperature and light levels,” comments Lawrance.

Lighting The building is long and narrow with 4.5m sheets of glass to allow for maximum natural light and avoid the usual dark corners which occur, for example, around a traditional square building’s central lift system. On the drabbest

Indoor Environment Quality

Energy

Transport

Water

Materials

Land Use & Ecology

Emissions

Innovation

To rate a building’s overall environmental impact, Green Star rating tools award points across nine categories.

of winter’s days, energy efficient LEDs can be used to supplement this. Office lighting is zoned in areas of less than 100m2, with occupancy sensors throughout.

Heating and ventilation Chilled water pumps and air handling units (AHUs) are electronically regulated – for example, speed and direction – to deliver energy savings. The internal zones are just

Rooftop collection syphons rainwater into a 30,000-litre underground tank. This is channelled into the bathrooms and used to irrigate the atrium and surrounding grounds, in which 90 per cent of the plants are New Zealand natives.

Quiet, conducive working atmosphere The external windows are all four-side doubleglazed and the subsequent noise reduction levels actually exceed Green Star’s requirements. Glare and incoming heat are virtually nil.

GRE E N S TA R E NV I R O NME NTA L I MPAC T C AT EG O R I ES

Management

Water savings

The daily commute There are four dedicated spaces for energy efficient vehicles and four EV charging points on four of the five car parking levels, with the potential to increase this to 10 charging points per level. Forty-eight secure bike parks for staff are complemented by another eight for visitors, and easy charging for e-bikes, along with showers and lockers.

APEC believes that sustainability is an ongoing process of continual improvement, and is seeking tenants committed to greener ways of working. Indeed, the appointment of a sustainability champion is a requirement of every tenancy agreement. It is not possible to detail the building’s every feature and potential benefit on this page. More information can be found on the websites of major commercial property agents, including Colliers, Bayley’s and Barfoot & Thompson. Simply search for 55c Corinthian Drive. To read more about Green Star ratings, visit nzgbc.org.nz/GreenStar MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

S U STA I N A B I L I T Y

How to thrive in a low-emissions economy Not every business can enjoy the advantages of a five-star Green Star rated building. However, every business can put strategies in place to help it succeed in a changing world while using less energy – thereby benefiting its own coffers and the environment. Gen Less is “the home of inspiring ideas to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions”. The website offers a plethora of advice for businesses at all stages of their path to greater sustainability, such as: • Set out your business’ energy management policy in writing, as this makes a powerful statement. Everyone in the organisation should understand why energy management is important and the statement should be publicly available, on your website, in annual

roles and responsibilities, and prioritising energy management options with shortterm payback that can be implemented easily. This will help to gain momentum and enthusiasm. • And, perhaps most importantly, harness the power of your staff. How do they feel about energy consumption and climate change? What would motivate them to help the business save energy, and what might be the barriers to this? reports, new staff induction packs and so on. • Analyse energy bills from the last couple of years on a graph to identify any trends or spikes that need to be investigated. • Get a strategy in place, assigning key

For loads more information, including tools to help find the best energy deal and tailored recommendations on how to start managing your energy better, visit genless.govt.nz/running-a-business

Stop your products ending up in landfill

Jaguar to go “all-electric” by 2025 As part of its journey to become a net carbon zero business by 2039, Jaguar Land Rover has announced that Jaguar cars will be entirely electric by 2025. Over the next five years, Land Rover will also

introduce six pure electric vehicles to its range, with the first Land Rover EV available in 2024. Last November, another luxury brand Bentley Motors (owned by Volkswagen) said that its range

will be fully electric by 2030. Other brands are looking to expand the plug-in options already available within their ranges, and almost 60 per cent of Toyota’s 2020 sales in New Zealand were hybrids.

FYI September 2020 highlighted the results of a Sustainable Business Network (SBN) survey, where more than 96 per cent of respondents thought it was important that a business’ products were made of materials that can be repaired, reused or recycled. Now the SBN is offering a free, no-obligation assessment for any business wishing to develop, improve or join an existing product stewardship scheme. SBN encourages procurement teams to ask suppliers how they manage the environmental impact of their products, such as waste and carbon, not only while the items are in use, but at the end of their life. There are also inspiring product stewardship stories shared on a dedicated section of its website. For example, Inzide Commercial in Takapuna which diverted 330 tonnes of waste from landfill by remanufacturing old carpet tiles and giving them a second life. To find out more about how your business could be part of a circular economy, visit sustainable.org.nz/sustainable-businessnews/stop-you-products-ending-up-inlandfill

M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

P RO P E RT Y MAT T E R S

Commercial property market: 2021 off to a strong start There has been a noticeable demand for commercial property leading into 2021, with a high level of enquiry from businesses and investors. Although some industries have been affected, and a few companies have downsized, there have been a number of large office leases. This is testament of business confidence, with BNZ and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) moving to Corinthian Drive, and Primepac Packaging, Straker Translations, and Wine Central Ltd, each leasing between 800-3,000sqm. Having spoken to numerous organisations, there is no doubt that employees like to come into the office and meet with their colleagues. Giving staff the choice would have been unheard of 12 months ago: work from home if you wish, and come into the office for meetings and events. Having happy staff is a high priority for businesses. I suspect that many staff who have left their companies through Covid-19 in 2020 are following their passions and starting up new businesses and hobbies. The demand for small commercial premises is already clear, with demand outstripping supply and many premises under 150sqm being leased or sold. The low interest rates have prompted business owners to purchase, to own and occupy their own premises, while at the same time securing a property investment. With the

Having spoken to numerous organisations, there is no doubt that employees like to come into the office and meet with their colleagues. values in residential properties increasing to a median value in Auckland of $1.1m – and the additional landlord obligations due to changes in the Residential Tenancy Act – the commercial investment has become sought after. Prices can start from $500k plus GST (if any), however we highly recommend that, should you be considering a commer-

cial purchase, you contact your mortgage broker or bank prior so that you have advice as to the timeframe the finance process will take. Currently a five to 10-day finance due diligence may not be sufficient. Landlords and tenants have been through Covid-19 and generally solutions were accepted by both parties with regards lease obligations. Many landlords on the North Shore are “mum and dad” investors with mortgage obligations and a genuine interest to keep their tenant happy. Property managers can certainly play a major part in being the conduit between both parties. As I have always said, it is the people that make this industry and there is no doubt that good relationships and being surrounded by a network of like-minded experts, colleagues and mentors will ensure further success. Janet Marshall is a director at Colliers International’s North Shore office, a business mentor in BMNZ, and was awarded the Women In Property 2019 Award from the Property Council. Janet is available to chat on 021 684 775. MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

Accelerating success.

2-4 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna Naming Rights Available

generous carparks are rare in Takapuna. This iconic building is in an excellent location, close to CBD, with a cafe on site and minutes to Takapuna beach. Separate car park building layout, excellent resources to hand. Contact Janet Marshall 021 684 775 for more information.

310, 500 & 900 sqm

Minutes to CBD

Competitive Rental

Generous Car Parking

Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67002574

Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Boundary Lines Indicative Only

10-12 Rothwell Avenue, Rosedale, Auckland Approx 1150 sqm ing on the North Shore. Centrally located in North Harbour with easy access to all motorway links and amenities these premises are available to view now. Rental and Outgoings are

Part of an iconic Rosedale Property

Low Total Occupancy Costs - save $

very competitive.

Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com

Call Janet Marshall or Mike Ryan for further information.

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67013982

Colliers NZ Limited

Generous Car Parking

Mike Ryan 021 402 461 mike.ryan@colliers.com Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008

colliers.co.nz

S I LV E R S P O N SO R

Introducing BNH’s newest Silver Sponsor: KC Legal Based in William Pickering Drive, KC Legal is a specialist property law firm committed to providing only exceptional levels of advice and support. Kate Chivers has an established reputation for managing residential property sale and purchase transactions, helping both first home buyers and experienced property investors with their specific needs. And, we promise to work effectively and efficiently to finalise the transactions as quickly and smoothly as possible. KC Legal can assist with negotiating and drafting leases for commercial tenancies, and also with more complex agreements, including: • Co-ordinating leases for multi-tenanted buildings • Agreements to build and lease • Drafting bespoke leases for specific projects

From concept to completion, KC Legal is available throughout your project to attend to settlements and liaise with your lenders to ensure any financing criteria is addressed well in advance of when you need funds to be available. “Our approach is simple. We work with you and your wider team of professionals to get the job done well. We promise to offer pragmatic, timely advice and communicate clearly so that you can meet your objective.” When you’re in need of a specialist property lawyer, you know who to call! Ph: (09) 972 3932 E: kate@kclegal.co.nz kclegal.co.nz

Kate Chivers

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M A R C H 2 021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

G O L D S P O N SO R S

The perfect place to revive, reconnect, rethink and redesign The Institute of Directors says that a top priority for business owners in 2021 is to “rethink and redesign our future and build back better and more sustainably”. The meeting room at Ramada Suites by Wyndham, Albany has been thoughtfully designed for organisations seeking a conducive, off site space for strategy meetings, staff briefings, training, networking breakfasts or after-hours team social events. • Fully accessible, on the ground floor with ample free car parking • Comfortably seats 24 delegates • Fully customisable interior layout – make the space your own • State-of-the-art videoconferencing, with Jabra Panacast • Kitchenette, or barista coffees from The Coffee Club on site • Catering options available or bring your own refreshments

“Flexibility is the name of this game!” says general manager Jacqui Cheal. “We want to make it as easy as possible for our guests to plan and budget for their event. That’s also why we charge a flat room hire rate for a half-day or full-day rather than per delegate.” Based on customer feedback, Ramada Suites by Wyndham, Albany is consistently ranked in the top 10 Wyndham properties in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region. To find out more about how your business could take advantage of these world-class facilities, contact Jacqui Cheal on (09) 974 4568 or e-mail manager@ramadaalbany.co.nz ramadaalbany.co.nz

We’ve moved... for a sustainable future

Now at 5-11 Parkway Drive www.benefitz.co.nz

MA R C H 2021 F Y I B U S I N E SS N H .O R G . N Z

G O L D S P O N SO R S

A 90-hectare haven just a stone’s throw from the office For corporate days, charity fundraisers, family celebrations and sports team prizegivings, North Shore Golf Club offers an exceptional venue in stunning surroundings. • Seated dining for up to 200 in the Club Room • Impressive views • Wide range of catering options • Well-stocked and staffed bar • Professional DJ available • Live bands – contemporary or “Rat Pack” • Quality in-house AV • Plentiful, hassle-free, off-road car parking

drink Enjoy a t bite in and ligh our new BAR! SPRIG

Our events team are at your service! Tell us your wish list and let us co-ordinate your perfect event. (09) 415 9924 51 Appleby Road, Albany northshoregolfclub.co.nz

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FYI March 2021

Articles inside

Sponsors

Introducing BNH’s new Silver Sponsor: KC Legal

Sustainability

Community: KidsCan

Professional Development: Driveline

Events

Asian Business

Crime Prevention

Diary Dates

Advocacy

In Brief

Business Success: ChargeNet