Auckland Today Issue 84

Issue 84 | July/August 2010

Smart Selling Tools and tactics to get cash registers ringing

Fifteen percent What more GST means for you

Cutting your losses When too much tenacity hurts

R&D Spending here might be your best investment yet

Chipping away

WIN AN HP NOTEBOOK

Bill Buckley’s quest to put New Zealand on the silicon chip map

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 3

Issue 84 | July/August 2010

Smart Selling Tools and tactics to get cash registers ringing

Fifteen percent What more GST means for you

Cutting your losses When too much tenacity hurts

R&D Spending here might be your best investment yet

Chipping away

WIN AN HP NOTEBOOK

Bill Buckley’s quest to put New Zealand on the silicon chip map

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Auckland Today

Issue 84

22,026 ABC circulation as at 31/12/09

Head office Academy House 818 Colombo Street PO Box 1879 Christchurch managing director Gary Collins General manager Rebecca Harris administration Tracy Yellowlees admin manager Kylie Moore Shontelle Alexander Kelly Clarke Rebecca McQueen Angela Barltrop Kimberley Wells sales & advertising Robert Cochrane sales executives Janet Campbell Steve Dando Grant Williams Paul James Jane Watson Colin Morais Murray Earl Jared Cox John Somerville Russell Donald newsroom Jonathon Taylor editor Sandy Galland Marie Sherry Melinda Collins Kate Pierson Bridget Gourlay Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: editor@academy.net.nz

production Fleur Hall manager Carolynne Brown assistants Hannah Walters Samara Thomson Camilla Josephs Melanie Stanbury designers CJ McKay Hayley Brocket Ryan Carter Ian Knott Kirsty Opie Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: production@academy.net.nz

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13

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On the rise

R&D

Lifestyles

Smart selling

There’s no point running from the impending GST rise; all you can do is approach the transition well prepared

Spending a little here might be A Queenstown winter retreat, your best investment yet something to wear and a pinot for when you’re there

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Art house

Cover story

Auckland Art Gallery’s transformation into New Zealand’s largest home of visual art

Bill Buckley’s determination and innovation put New Zealand on the silicon chip map

News

Smart selling

Business Features

6 The right advice business tips worth listening to

22 Making effective messages don’t confuse advertising for marketing

26 Initiatives Buckley Systems and Q Theatre

7 Making messages creating a thriving business one click at a time

22 Marketing’s future where is the sales pitch heading?

32 Focus Auckland Art Gallery’s transformation

9 Crossing over despite examining options since 1987, a new harbour crossing seems as far away as ever

23 Paying for performance performance pay can be a double-edged sword

35 Goods & Services Kumeu Plumbing

11 Cutting your losses when too much tenacity hurts you

23 Show and tell trade shows are easy to attend, but how do you avoid getting lost in the crowd?

35 Retail Neil Diamonds and Jewellery

11 90 days… and counting pros and cons of lengthening employee trial periods

24 Discount dangers price slashing isn’t always the answer

14 Products 4U iPhone applications with attitude 16 Selling to Uncle Sam clean and green might sell holiday spots, but is a less compelling currency for US consumers 21 Events diary where to arm yourself with information

Viewpoints

www.academy.net.nz 4 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

36 Property & Construction Cooper & Co, Pukenui Properties, Topcoat Specialist Coatings, Nu-wall Aluminium Cladding, George Grant Engineering, Dysart Timbers and The House Company 44 Manufacturing Millennium Plastics, Siebert Industries and Neotec

8 Services and Sales have we forgotten already?

48 Solutions Hot Water Heat Pumps and AB Equipment

21 Management creating a positive work environment

Winning ways…

Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services.

A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication.

Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice.

Contents Copyright 2010 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

If people aren’t buying, you’re not earning! We look at advertising’s role, the danger of discounting, performance pay and more

 Win a two-night getaway at the Colonial Motor Lodge, and we’ve got an HP Notebook worth $1499 from Warehouse Stationery to give away — turn to PAGE 16.

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And the winner is…

Auckland Today congratulates Julia Osselton on winning a marketing and communications manual from Living Words.

* CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: One entry only per person and must be sent on the official entry form or as otherwise stated. Entry is free and open to all residents of New Zealand. All entrants must be over the age of 18, proof of identity and date of birth may be requested. Employees and their immediate families of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication are ineligible to enter. Winner(s) will be notified by e-mail/phone. The judges’ decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into. No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected mail. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained, during the course of prize winning travel or in connection with any other prizes won. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication accept no responsibility for health, luggage, insurances, travel, personal expenses and transfers other than specified. Entries remain the property of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication and cannot be returned. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication reserves the right to photograph and publish winners. Entries may be used for further marketing purposes by Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication but are not made available to any third party.

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Attention pet lovers did you know?

What you feed your cat or dog directly affects how long they live and the quality of their life. Not all foods are created equal. There is only one way to establish what you’re really feeding your pet...read the ingredients!

If you would like to discuss anything we’ve mentioned or would like to get sent some info and testimonials please give us a call, or go to our website to see the dozens of raving testimonials available. In fact a large number of clients are breeders, which is testament in itself, as these people take feeding their pets (their business), very seriously. These people normally spend a lot of time researching all options available and we’re pleased to say, they’re massive fans of our product.

In today’s competitive pet food industry, it’s hard to believe what may go into your pet food. Many companies (owned by multi-national corporations) have extensive marketing budgets, that portray a healthy pet jumping around, all thanks to their fantastic pet food. However, they seldom talk about ingredients. And to be frank, that is the most important element, followed closely by taste.

Because let’s face it, if your pet doesn’t like the taste, they simply won’t eat it.

(Unless it’s a Labrador....)

Here’s the most important bit.

The ingredients I’m not going to tell you how happy your pet will be or how high they will jump by using our pet food.

I’m simply going to give you a quick lesson about ingredients and what to look for and what to avoid.

The way ingredients are listed on packaging is the order that they are according to the percentage of food, so the first ingredient listed is the primary ingredient and so on down the list.

Some list “by-products” as the first ingredient, usually chicken or beef. Now this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. One of the many problems with byproducts is what can go into the mix. So for cows this can mean bones, hooves, hides, hair, intestines, or with poultry by-products it can mean feet, beaks, feathers, bones, intestines, as well as the small trimmings that are left behind after they have been boned out for human consumption.

interesting fact!

By law, by-products don’t have to include any meat at all in order to be called chicken or beef by-products.

Products with by-products will of course look like any other pet food biscuit. The organic chemicals that make up the mush that remains will still register as amino acids and proteins etc, yet the fact is that a large percentage of it will be completely indigestible to your pet’s digestive system. This means your pet will be unable to harvest goodness for its body out of much of its food.

This results in two things. First, you will have to feed more of the product to your pet to satisfy its nutritional requirements. Second, there will be more “unharvested remains” left to be picked up off your lawns. One of the huge benefits of feeding your pet a food that uses high quality ingredients is that there is less stool volume, because the animal is able to digest more of it. Another notable benefit

Here are results from three independent studies: 1) The Confidential Dog Food Report analysed over 2,000 pet foods and came up with the best nine. Canidae was one of them. The following dog foods available in New Zealand weren’t on the list; Beneful, Eukanuba, Iams, Pedigree, Purina One, Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow and Science Diet.

2) Each year The Whole Dog Journal (arguably the best dog journal in the world), rates dog foods from around the world and creates an “approved list” which includes approximately 25 foods. For more than 5 years Canidae has featured. The following

is that your animal’s stools will smell a lot better when they are fed a high quality, natural, highly digestible food that doesn’t have rancid meats and fats in it.

Canidae lists chicken and turkey meal as their first ingredients. Chicken, turkey and lamb meals are dry and are less than 10% moisture and contain 50-65% meat proteins.

Canidae and Felidae contain 10 skin and coat conditioners with balanced Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty Acids: chicken fat, fish meal, flax seed, sunflower oil, lecithin, linoleic acid, rosemary, sage, vitamin E and biotin.

Please go to our website or give us a call for the full Declaration of Ingredients. Without a declaration of ingredients, how do you really know what’s going into your pet’s food?

Why haven’t you heard of us?

Simply because we’re relatively new into New Zealand.

We have hundreds of satisfied clients and this year we’ve doubled the number of clients from last year and this is literally growing daily. However, Canidae for dogs and Felidae for cats have been selling in America for many years and are consistently ranked in the top few by leading pet journals and publications including The Whole Dog Journal.

We also don’t have the marketing budget of the huge corporations. In fact we have relied heavily on word of mouth, which works well, but we are now starting to do print and radio.

dog foods available in New Zealand aren’t on the list; Beneful, Eukanuba, Iams, Pedigree, Purina One, Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow and Science Diet.

3) Petsumer Report also does an independent study and ranks pet food out of five, with five being the absolute best.

Here’s some of the results: Beneful 0 CANIDAE

4.2 Eukanuba 2.7 Iams 2.7 Pedigree 1 Purina One 1.9 Purina Pro Plan 2.1 Purina Dog Chow 1 Science Diet 1.5

Here is a quote that I recently read in The Whole Dog Journal, arguably the best independent dog journal in the world. “I’d like to quickly dismiss the idea that any of the giants – Iams and Eukanuba, Purina, Science Diet - could possibly make dry dog foods that are as good as the foods that have a regular presence on WDJ’s “approved foods” list, (such as Canidae). The fact is, though, of course they could; they have all the resources needed to do so. They could bury most of the competition in the “natural and holistic” niche...if they followed through and used only the same high-quality ingredients typically used by the smaller, boutique brands. But they generally stop short – perhaps because they are unaccustomed to paying a lot for their raw materials, or marketing the products at a correspondingly high sales price.” - Nancy Kerns Save you time and money As mentioned this is a premium product, and if we sold in pet stores or vets, it would command a huge price tag. However, as we don’t have a “middle man” we can sell it at a price comparable to other “premium” products. In addition to this, your pet will actually require less, as he/she will actually be able to digest and utilise more of the food, which also creates less stools. In addition to this we will take the hassle out of driving to your pet store, lugging the food into and out of your boot, as we will deliver to your door free of charge.

Your satisfaction is assured every time you deal with us through our Make You Happy Guarantee If we ever let you down, we’ll ask “what can we do to make you happy?” So far we’ve never refused a customer’s request. And of course there’s a full money back guarantee on the product if your pet doesn’t like it.

re

r anywhe P.s We delive in NZ free Gary Collins, Owner

Call for a FREE sample and more information or call now to place an order. If you place an order this month WE’LL TAKE 33% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER when you mention this advert.

You’re probably wondering what’s the catch? Well we know that almost everyone who buys from us once, buys again, and again, and again!

Ph: 0800 101 729 www.canidae.co.nz

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 5

News

The right

By Kate Pierson

Being taken under a business mentor’s wing can shield us from a professional storm, grant us time for reflection and development, and enable us to develop a relationship with this confidant, predicated on trust, understanding and a common goal — to see your business reach its potential.

Business Mentors New Zealand and its 15 agents throughout the country, have been taking businesses under their professional wing since 1991. Funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Business Mentors New Zealand provides a mentoring service to businesses that have been operating for at least six months and are the main source of their owner’s income.

Case in point Offering a free mentoring service upon payment of a $100 registration fee (plus GST), Business Mentors New Zealand provides its service for two years to businesses looking for an advisor to guide them on their professional journey.

According to the latest figures from Business Mentors New Zealand, more New Zealand small to medium business enterprises (SMEs) are recognising the professional value an experienced volunteer can add to their business.

Between April 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010, 2385 new clients applied for a mentor through Business Mentors New Zealand.

In this time, volunteer mentors carried out 8972 mentoring sessions, a 44 percent increase on the previous year.

“The last 18 months have seen many business owners not knowing how to cope in what has become a very challenging

6 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

advice

business environment,” Business Mentors chief executive Ray Schofield says. “Many lack the experience to get through it, which is where a business mentor can be real a real asset.

“The feedback we’ve had from clients is that they really appreciate the unique opportunity to tap into somebody else’s knowledge. A mentor can also act as an impartial third party.

“Often people, especially those that work in the business as well as owning it, get so close to the company that they are unable to see aspects which are weak and need improvement, as well as areas of opportunity. A mentor can help them step back and see things in a fresh light.”

Andrew Harris and wife Jacqui Matthews-Harris, run Blackcat Consulting Limited, an executive search and selection and management consultancy firm. The couple’s own experience with Business Mentors New Zealand speaks volumes with regard to the value of this service.

“While we found the New Zealand market very receptive to the nature of our business, moving to a new country meant we had to make new connections and learn about new legalities and new markets during a recession, without the support of a network,” Harris explains of his transition from the United Kingdom.

But the couple were only without a network of support until they sought the assistance Business Mentors New Zealand and in particular, Lisa Ford, who works as the North Shore agent for Business New Zealand.

“Having someone who you can trust that is outside your immediate business is invaluable,” Harris says. “Having someone who helps you plan and then challenges you, tests you, questions your decisions and offers advice, both professionally and spiritually, is fantastic.

“Jacqui and I would encourage any privately owned business to become a part of the Business Mentors New Zealand programme,” Harris says.

For more information on the free mentoring services available through Business Mentors New Zealand, or to make an enquiry about how to become a business mentor, log on to www.businessmentors.org.nz

News

Making

messages

“your slogan here…”

By Melinda Collins

Freedom of speech refers not only to freedom of verbal speech, but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.

Never more so than with today’s technology have we imparted more of ourselves onto the unexpecting world via mass media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. While the silicon chip has delivered a soap-box to pretty much most living rooms in the western world, the desire for individuals to be heard is nothing new.

Take, for example, the slogan T-shirt; it tells everyone, at a glance and in a colourful and vivid way, exactly what you’re all about. It was thought to be some time back in the 1950s that some clever person decided to brand the garment and very quickly the T-shirt flourished as a form of personal expression.

Much expressive ink has been splashed over the industry in New Zealand by Mr Vintage. The quirky online T-shirt store has gone from a small e-commerce business, selling imported T-shirts on Trade Me, to a fully fledged successful enterprise and an iconic New Zealand brand in just five years.

The Auckland-based business has enjoyed so much popularity with its Kiwiana inspired range it has given up importing merchandise.

Among shirts devoted to cultural institutions like Jason Gunn and Thingee and pineapple lumps, Mr Vintage carries T-shirts referring to historic

disasters such as David Bain’s jersey patterns, Paul Henry’s “moustachegate” comments and David Tua’s “O for awesome” oopsie.

Now a Kiwi icon in its own right, Mr Vintage now enjoys 65,000 visits to its online store every month and a huge following on social media networks. More than 25,000 New Zealanders receive Mr Vintage’s T-shirt of the day email — an increase of 7500 in the past year.

Although 60 percent of all sales are via the Mr Vintage website, the brand now has a funky and stylish new shop in Grey Lynn.

Creating a culture Founded in 2004 by student Rob Ewan, Mr Vintage has risen from the unknown to one of the best known.

“We got the simple things right at the start.

It was about having a product that people wanted, providing good service and keeping things simple. It was about creating a culture and letting that culture show through into the personality of the brand,” Ewan says. “That is how we have grown.”

Ewan says investing time into social media has paid off more than investing into advertising.

“Getting amongst social media, harnessing the power of Facebook, Twitter and other online communities and continually improving yourself, finding out what your weaknesses are and working at fixing them.”

Despite the overwhelming success of the brand, it has taken Ewan some time to get his head around it all. “If there was anything I could have done better it would be believing in myself; I should have done that earlier, but overall I’m very happy with where we’ve come and where we’re going.”

With big plans in the works including launching www.parinto.com, a collaboration with designer Steven Richardson and releasing a line of stationery later this year, it’s little wonder Ewan can’t get the smile off his face.

Exposure money can’t buy

By Melinda Collins

The expression ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’ is regarded with disdain by those who believe knowledge and experience should triumph in securing new business. But recent findings suggest ‘who you know’ still wins every time.

BNI New Zealand marketing director, Colin Kennedy says a recent research of 12,000 businesses worldwide by BNI found relationships remain the best competitive advantage.

The research reports that 91.4 percent of more than 12,000 professional business respondents claimed networking played a role in their success. Six percent said it did not and 2.7 percent said networking wasn’t applicable.

If you think Facebook, Twitter and other websites fostering online communication and interaction are merely vapid chambers of self-importance, they are vehicles which make this important concept accessible to the masses. Quite simply, social networking gives your business free access to global markets — advertising money just can’t buy.

Case study — Robinson Designer Goldsmith Hollywood got a touch of New Zealand last year — thanks to a Kiwi jewellery-making family’s Facebook break.

effective it is. The amount of publicity we have received directly from Facebook, I wouldn’t be able to afford in a number of years.”

Auckland’s Robinson Designer Goldsmith (RDG) was invited to show its designs at a prestigious pre-Oscars event in Los Angeles (LA), after setting up a Facebook page in late 2009 where it quickly built a global fanbase.

Despite his newfound passion for the internet trend, you still need the goods to back it up.

“Despite what Facebook has done for us, the key is that we have a great story to tell,” he says of the family owned business. “We have the product — everything which makes it work. If you are just a boring jeweller selling the same boring products, doing the same as everyone else, you’re not going to get the interest, or the fans.

Owner Ken Robinson says he used “Kiwi ingenuity and the cheek of our nation” to phone a fashion conscious store in Malibu with a proposal. “I said we were coming up for the Hollywood Award Suites and we had 500 Facebook fans in greater LA who would like to see our jewellery in person.”

He then “stitched up a deal” where Malibu Rock Star staged a three-day event showing RDG’s jewellery to its LA Facebook fanbase.

Robinson had been aware of Facebook as a social networking tool, but it wasn’t until his son pointed out the attributes from a business perspective that he realised its importance.

“That’s why you need young people in your business,” he laughs.

“Facebook puts us in contact with people there would be no other way to get in touch with and interact with — it’s mind blowing,” he says of the networking craze. “I can’t quantify how

“For a small business that has the product, there isn’t any other advertising media we could get this coverage from, we couldn’t afford it,” he laughs.

While Robinson says you don’t need to be an internet expert, there are some key tips you need. “Do your research, look at different pages of people in like-industries to see what they’re doing. Make the decision that this is something you’re willing to commit to. If you’re not prepared to do that, don’t bother.

“It’s not a lot of work, but it needs to be maintained. Facebook should be a part of your day, every day, it only needs to be five minutes, but it needs to be done. Facebook has lifted our small but reasonably prestigious

suburban business to a business that is attracting worldwide attention.”

Small Trolley $150 Large Trolley $195 Large trolley 87 x 100 x 50cm Small trolley 80 x 75 x 44 cm Extras: Side bucket small $15, Large $25 (when ordered with trolley) Prices include GST and freight

Order Hotline 0800 477 624 www.specialistcleaningsupplies.co.nz Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 7

News

Have we forgotten already?

I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a column in our publications for a while, the decision was finally made after a trying morning recently cold calling companies to purchase products. The experience was frustrating to say the least and finally pushed me to write about the things that irk me and the frustrations faced trying to manage a company in an unaccommodating climate. If you agree or disagree with my comments, or need to vent, write to me; put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

I’m confident everyone will agree, at some stage over the last year or two we did one or all of the following: • Put one’s nose to the grindstone and worked our asses off • Thought outside the square • Returned to basics • Asked “how high?” when clients asked us to jump!

• Wrote and re-wrote the standard sales pitch.

The list goes on…

With an event looming I needed to purchase branded products — what a struggle. All I was faced with was excuses: • We only do quantities up to 500 • We only do quantities over 5000 • Orange isn’t a standard colour • You don’t want to air freight • You’ve left it too late • The lady who deals with that is away.

Consequently not a single product was bought.

Has everyone forgotten how precious every single sale is? I was a cold, unsolicited incoming call. It’s clear from my experience this particular day we’ve slipped back into our old hum-drum ways of not working hard to make a sale.

Not one iota of passion, enthusiasm or even helpfulness was experienced.

My day ended with a trip to a mall to return a watch for repair, only three months into the warranty of a well know brand.The counter sales person said to me “I’m not sure the warranty will cover it, they only cover the watch, not the strap.”

You have got to be kidding me, this lady got the death stare - I think she knew how I felt!

This was followed by a visit to a jewellery kiosk. I asked to try on a costume ring, would you believe it, the sales person took it out and popped it on the counter, promptly turned and walked back to where she was standing in the middle of the kiosk to do… nothing… just stand there. No one else was at the kiosk!

At the end of a very frustrating day, I realised the hard work our nation has put into customer service and sales over the last year or two has been forgotten. The lesson here is, it doesn’t matter in tough times or in good times, we still need to be at the top of our game. There needs to be a continuous strive to go above and beyond, or the tough times will get tougher and the good times will never eventuate!

Rebecca Harris is the General Manager of the Academy Group of Companies.

All correspondence regarding this column to: Email. rebecca@academy.net.nz Post. ’Rebecca’s Rant’, PO Box 1879

Christchurch 8140

8 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

By Kate Pierson

In New Zealand, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the figure 12.5 percent have long gone hand in hand — but that’s all about to change.

The 2010 Budget announcement that GST will rise to 15 percent effective from October 1, confirmed the speculatory whispers preceding this legislative adjustment.

And, going by the influx of public protests and the flash of political claws in the democratic arena, this decision spells controversy. But the more pressing question on everyone’s lips is, will the GST rise affect small to medium businesses?

What’s the verdict?

If you are one of the approximately 450,000 small to medium enterprises (affectionately known as SMEs), that make up more than 97 percent of all business in New Zealand, the media spotlight is on you in the wake of this announcement. And, chances are, you’ll be wondering what the GST hike means for your business’ margins, revenue and livelihood.

It’s hard to gauge a definitive verdict on the pros and cons of the GST hike if you’re drawing your conclusions from the noisy media landscape.

The resounding ‘woes, nos and what ifs?’ currently being voiced, are contradicted in turn by strong verbal support of this decision.

Financial specialists, such as NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants tax director Craig Macalister, support this new financial equation, maintaining that personal tax cuts,

plus a GST hike, equals an improved tax system for New Zealand.

sector when making such a major decision as hiking up GST.

Yet a poll conducted by the Newmarket Business Association in May 2010, which was undertaken to gauge the opinions of key Auckland retailers on the GST rise, revealed 82 percent of the 400 respondents believed the timing of the government’s GST increase was “bad”.

“What we need is a smart economy with smart taxes that ensures a fair go for everyone.

Bumping up GST without hard analysis of the implications will only enlarge the divide between rich and poor. If the Government had spoken to business owners they would have realised how much disruption a decision like this can create for the industry.”

And while the survey revealed retailers were not overly-anxious about the rise, given personal tax cuts will be occurring simultaneously, it also showed that 53 percent of retailers believe the GST increase will have a negative impact on their own customers’ spending and a subsequent impact on their business turnover.

Newmarket Business Association chief executive Cameron Brewer says, “Given the very challenging retail environment of the past two years, the timing of the GST increase is viewed by most retailers as poor. Retailers have been knocked around for many months and they view this as just another obstacle.”

Brewer adds that despite personal tax cuts offering financial compensation to consumers, 73 percent of businesses surveyed also believed the GST increase will cost their business money to comply, due to the necessary acquisition of computer systems and repricing and retagging merchandise.

According to Brewer, the causal inspired commercial domino affect will also rear its ugly head across New Zealand, as meeting the cost of these demands will see businesses buckle under the financial pressure.

“There’s been a theory circulating that retailers won’t put up their prices come October for fear of scaring off price-sensitive shoppers,” he states. “However, the reality is there is not much room left in most retailers’ margins to absorb the rise. Eighty-seven percent of retails told us they intend to put up their prices to reflect the GST increase.”

Green Party small business spokesperson, David Clendon agrees with this argument, as he engages his own business experiences in consideration of the potential impact. “I’ve owned a small business myself and am shocked that so little consideration has been given to the

Clendon also believes the GST rise will have immediate and on-going implications for SMEs in the wake of the economic recession. “To cope with the GST rise, small businesses will need to prepare for inevitable fluctuations to demand and cash flow, major changes to their accounting system, a disjointed tax return and possibly an overhaul of all their products’ prices, which combined, is no small task.”

Brace for the impact Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson says there is no point running from the inevitable and impending GST rise; therefore it is imperative for businesses to go through this transition well prepared.

“SMEs will be aware of the rise being implemented on October 1, 2010 and most will not be able to just absorb the impact of this. Therefore, businesses will have to consider what increases they may need to implement on existing stock, as well as what their policy will be for new goods that come in after this rise.”

Thompson also acknowledges that pressures placed on SMEs by retailers to reduce costs on goods they are supplying to them, will find some businesses losing margin if they fulfil these demands. “It does put them in a quandary because if they don’t reduce prices on request, they risk losing that retail contract to their competitors.”

Thompson says in the lead up to the October 1, legislation changes, businesses should consider three things in particular; position, best pricing and margin.

“It is very important for business to maintain their margins, because if they don’t, they might find themselves on the road to ruin.”

News

When less is more

By Bridget Gourlay

Richard Ashton took a two-thirds pay cut to leave his corporate sales job to become the CEO of Big Buddy, a not for profit programme that pairs fatherless boys with male mentors. It’s a move he hasn’t regretted for a second.

What kind of life did you have before you became the CEO of Big Buddy?

I was living in Auckland working for IBM as their senior sales specialist. It was high pressure, fairly long hours, I was always wearing a suit.

The problem was I was really interested in the more soulful side of the human experience. I did personal work as a marriage and funeral celebrant — that engaged me in the human story more. I felt like Jekyll and Hyde — at a business meeting on the Monday someone would say — what did you do in the weekend? I’d say, I did two funerals.

That’s a random hobby!

I know! I had skills in group facilitation — I became very interested in the emotional processes of people finding life direction. I was asked to do a funeral. I thought — Wow! This is when real emotion happens. There’s no bullshit when death makes a gesture.

Why did you decide to leave?

The whole thing of driving and driving and endlessly increasing sales targets started to feel out of whack. I had this growing itch to serve somebody else for no money. I seriously tried to avoid it and deny it. For quite a while I thought — no, I need to earn money and get ahead. But there was this growing quiet voice that said — is this enough?

I left IBM knowing I needed to do something else. I talked it over with my partner, it was scary, but she supported me entirely. Then the CEO of an organisation working with men and violence headhunted me. It was for a programme buddying fatherless boys — 80 percent of those in this violence programme in jail were essentially fatherless as boys.

Big Buddy is a fence at the top of the hill idea.

What skills do you bring to your new job from your old job?

It was not so much a clash of cultures but a hybrid of cultures. Stuff in the business world that was basic was either dirty or not even thought of here. The first things I did were developing a logo, getting a website going, getting advertising and good marketing materials.

The programme I inherited was declining — in fact, it was almost dead.

The big issue for us, obviously, is safety. Previous people at Big Buddy have gotten worried and paranoid. I took a classic business approach to this. I talked to therapists and councillors who’d worked with rapists and murders and built up picture of what that psyche was like. I developed a whole new screening process — I wasn’t constricted by a psychology or sociology degree. I’m taking that screening process to the market next year. It’s received international recognition — they’re asking for it in the UK. Is it a change you’d recommended to anyone finding themself in the same position?

Absolutely. Make the leap. Follow that little voice — your heart, that says I need to do something more here. A good way to start is by volunteering. Social services and community services need people from the business world.

I still feel the stress in this job — funding, the accounts, managing an organisation. But it’s all counterbalanced. Last week I was feeling stressed and a girl rang me up and said, “I just want to thank you so much for what you did for my brother. He used to be a nightmare to live with, now he’s got a mentor and things have changed for my family”. Then she started crying.

I bet that didn’t happen at IBM (Laughs.) No! It didn’t. The move wasn’t a head decision. But I’m so glad I did it.

Perhaps a complete reversal of lifestyle isn’t the answer for everyone, but the moral of the story is surely that finding a balance in life is essential, and dollar terms alone are no way to measure happiness. To find out more about the Big Buddy programme visit www.bigbuddy.org.nz

Big Buddy, a programme providing mentors for fatherless boys, operates under the “fence at the top of the hill” concept.

Crossing over

By Bridget Gourlay

There’s long been talk about a new Waitemata Harbour Crossing — a plan some are calling urgent as the 51-year-old Auckland Harbour Bridge wears down.

But despite councils, transport planners and task forces examining options since 1987, construction on a new crossing won’t get underway for decades.

A joint project between various local and national bodies in 2008 identified an underground tunnel as their preference for the additional transport link across the Waitemata Harbour. That option comprises four tunnels — two for road and two for rail — located to the east of the Auckland

Harbour Bridge, catering for separate north and southbound travel. Proponents of this option say if the rail route is cheap and reliable it will help decrease Aucklanders’ reliance on cars.

Both Auckland City Council Mayor John Banks and North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams support the tunnel option. However, Manukau City Mayor Len Brown, who will be running for Mayor of the Supercity, says he is still open to the option of a new Anzac bridge to be built to commemorate the centenary of Anzac Day in 2015.

Drawn-out process Documents are now being prepared for the tunnel route. However, the planning, reporting and resource consent process could take up to 20 years to complete.

$280 Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett says this is far too long, especially because the current Auckland Harbour Bridge is getting old.

The NZTA disclosed last year the bill for fixing the clip-ons of the Auckland Harbour Bridge has risen from $45 million in May 2008 to $86 million and the work must be completed to keep the bridge functioning.

Barnett says the Auckland Harbour Bridge can be compared to a second hand car — the repair bills are getting to a point where one must look at a replacement as soon as possible. “Clearly we need to get ourselves organised. We need a firm work programme as soon as possible. We need to stop procrastinating. We need to get our funding options sorted and get on with it,” he says.

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energy and no bladder infections. I adopted another dog six months ago and immediately threw away the food the pound gave and started her on the Canidae All Life Stages dry food formula. Canidae is more expensive than other food, but the money that I saved in medicine for bladder infections and vet visits more than make up for it.

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| Auckland Today | July/August 2010

News

Cutting your losses

By Kate Pierson

We have all heard and offered others the advice ‘just cut your losses.’ But like most social idioms of this nature, it’s always easier said than done.

Although persistence is an admirable trait, our quintessential Kiwi determination to never give up can also blind our better judgement. In many cases, our commitment to holding, when folding is the logical answer, can be detrimental not only to our dignity but also the livelihood of our businesses The notion of ‘fast failure’ is a conceptual sibling to the ‘cut your losses’ analogy. And while the denotative meaning of the word failure is enough to make anybody’s professional pulse race, this phrase is ironically being offered as a key recommendation to New Zealand.

Coined by a high-powered panel that emerged from the 2009 Entrepreneurial Summit, the definition of fast failure is offered by panel member and Designindustry Limited’s managing director, Dorenda Britten. “Fast failure is being brave enough and ego-free enough to let go of ideas,” she says.

In New Zealand, there is a societal tendency to take criticism personally, Britten says. “What is most most needed, is for people to be able to stand back and welcome diverse inputs whether it be favourable or unfavourable.

“If the idea is strong enough, it will come through even stronger. The best ideas are often amalgams of many ideas that couldn’t make the cut on their own.

“Killing an idea can be very empowering for a person or an organisation. Ideas are plentiful and cheap; we have no shortage of them.

“Pinpointing those that have an even chance of meeting future market needs and backing them will, we believe, provide a better return on investment for both public and private funders and contribute significantly to New Zealanders’ future success.”

Britten says that in the pursuit of long term success, businesses need to have an evaluative process in place which involves measuring the validity of a product against existing or potential consumer demand for it.

“It is about embracing rigorous evaluation of ideas at all stages of a product or service development. Sometimes this can mean throwing out an idea in its entirety and sometimes it may be the goal is good, but the delivery is wrong.”

Strategic thinking

As the director of Designindustry in Christchurch, Britten has a wealth of knowledge and experience in conceptualising strategies and developing skills for success. Working in a panel alliance with members including former 3M boss Maurice Boland, Britten says it is time for New Zealanders to step back from the action to see the bigger picture.

So is fast failure something New Zealand needs to do more of?

“We think so!” Britten says. “New Zealanders admire tenacity above all things, but what’s the point of tenaciously venturing down the wrong path.”

“Decisions therefore, should be based on diverse and wide knowledge brought to the table early by various stakeholders and measured against mid to long term strategic vision through the use of known and trusted criteria.”

“Too often we are simply in love with our ideas and schemes and this can make us blind to changes in the market and we can become increasingly divorced from notions of risk and return. It is vital that we keep abreast of changing contexts.”

“What we are suggesting — and that organisations who regularly develop new products do have in place — is a process for evaluating customer and community needs and balancing that against company resources and vision.

90 days…& counting

By Bridget Gourlay

Barely a year has passed since the controversial 90 day employee trial period was enacted — and government is already floating extension suggestions.

National campaigned on changing the Employment Act so that businesses with fewer than 19 staff could fire someone after three months. The legislation came into effect in March 2009 with protections remaining for sexual and racial discrimination.

The move was fought by unions and the opposition who claimed employees could be fired without warning and reason — and that the system was open for abuse. Now the suggestion is being floated in a grievance procedure discussion document that the trial period could be extended.

So why extend it?

Because hiring the wrong person can be seriously expensive. If a small business hires an unsuitable staff member it can be potentially disastrous.

Research conducted by the Department of Labour in 2007 found the median direct cost to SME employers involved in employment relationship problems was between $3000 and $4000. This includes payouts to employees, legal representation and advice, investigation costs and replacement staff, but not lost wages.

Employers with fewer than 20 staff make up 97 percent of New Zealand businesses, accounting for three in 10 workers.

Research in 2007 found the incidence of cases per 100 workers was higher in these companies than larger ones. The discussion document says these employers often lack the resources to deal with employment procedures and suggests extending the 90 day trial to deal with the issue.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says the Government is simply seeking feedback. At the time of the law change, she said the law would actually benefit employees. “The new legislation will be a real boost for people on the margins of the workforce who simply need an employer to give them a chance in a new job.”

review, but will fight any attempts to lengthen the trial process. “The ability to take away someone’s economic livelihood is a huge amount of power,” EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says.

“It’s a basic democratic right that employees have access to natural justice.”

The discussion document is closed for consultation and will be released later this year.

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So why not extend this trial period?

Because being on trial for an extended period of time is tough on employees, financially and emotionally.

Employees on trial cannot afford to make major financial decisions until they have job security. This means they certainly cannot buy a house, or may even worry about planning a holiday, putting down the bond on a flat or deciding whether or not to contribute two or four percent into KiwiSaver.

The pressure and stress of possibly losing their new job might cause on-trial employees to feel uncomfortable in the workplace.

Making friends, attending staff social functions and staying focused on the job is tough on employees who have to bear in mind that they could be fired without reason and need to keep an eye on the job market.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) says it will co-operate with the

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News

thinking

By Melinda Collins

At least one in 10 New Zealanders are believed to have dyslexia.

The thing about this condition, is its right-brain induced thinking processes can prove to be a real asset in the workplace.

For all the difficulties dyslexics face, there is a long list of high achievers who have turned the perceived disadvantage to their advantage.

In the US, 35 percent of entrepreneurs are dyslexic. A UK study suggests dyslexics are five times more likely to be entrepreneurs than those without specific learning difficulties — 40 percent of UK millionaires have dyslexia.

Sir Richard Branson struggled with education with the then undiagnosed condition leading to an early exit from formal schooling. Now head of more than 150 entities which carry the Virgin name and a personal wealth estimated around the $3 billion mark, he is one of the world’s most successful businessmen.

Richard Taylor, co-founder and co-director of Weta Workshop, the special effects company best known for its work on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has spent years battling his own dyslexia demons.

He has undertaken a high profile and courageous campaign, fighting for recognition and understanding for sufferers. His story will be familiar to many of the estimated 10 percent or more of the population who suffer from the neurobiological condition.

In layman’s terms, dyslexia means the brain is “wired” differently from the non-dyslexic.

The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand says research has shown that the majority use the “verbal” left side of the brain to understand words, whereas dyslexic people use the “pictorial” right side. This makes them slower to process and understand language, but stronger in creative thinking.

Leading dyslexia researcher Sally Shaywitz, founder of the Yale Centre for Dyslexia and Creativity, has shown that dyslexics tend to have

strengths in higher-level thinking processes, learning capacity, creative problem solving, thinking outside the square and empathy.

Dyslexics excel when focused on highly specialised areas, ranging from medicine and law, to science and architecture, she says.

The challenge for New Zealand employers is to find the right way to harness potential benefits.

For Taylor, an employer’s emphasis should be on changing their approach to dyslexic employees, to help them flourish. “You need to identify exactly what attributes you want in the person you hire. If you expect a more traditional, linear thinking mode, you will need to put more support around a dyslexic person to help them achieve that.

“Awareness is critical. You need team leaders who can identify the signs of dyslexia and make simple adjustments so the employee feels valued and empowered. This will involve good peer support and making sure the challenges you set dyslexic employees are testing, but not outside the realm of their capability,” he says.

His thoughts are echoed by MetService CEO Paul Reid, who hid his own struggle for fear of being judged. “Employees with any form of dyslexia can be of great use to organisations, as long as you don’t put them in the wrong job.

It’s about horses for courses and matching skills to strengths.”

Many dyslexic adults work very hard at hiding their weaknesses, instead of using their significant abilities to add value to businesses, Reid says. Employers can lift productivity by helping them identify and use their strengths.

This “notice and adjust” approach empowers employees to achieve their potential and demonstrates an employer’s willingness to support genuine needs. It leads to job fulfillment for dyslexic employees and for the employer, an enhanced bottom line. “Good communication and understanding strengths and weaknesses is essential for supporting employees, especially those affected by dyslexia.”

For further information visit www.dyslexiafoundation.org.nz

D o p re t t y De s i g n s g u a r a n t e e s a l e s ?

It's a common myth that having a pretty website design alone will guarantee sales. A website should be designed keeping in mind the most important question – what is the primary goal for having this website? For most commercial websites, it's to either make more sales or generate more enquiries.

It's easy to get distracted by pretty pictures and promises of a great design when you are looking for a fresh new website, or upgrading your old one. But there is more to a successful website than just pretty designs.

That's not to say that the design of a website is not important.

A shabby looking website that looks like it's been built by someone working out of a garage will certainly damage the first impression people will have of your business. You only get one chance to give your website visitors a memorable first impression of your brand, and if they don't like what they see they will most definitely move on to someone else that lives up to their expectations.

Therefore, a professional looking website is great for building your visitors' trust and making you look credible, which is important if you

12

| Auckland Today | July/August 2010

want them to do business with you.

There are, however, other areas that have an even greater influence in determining whether your website will be a success or a failure. For example, you need a clear plan to ensure that you get a lot of targeted traffic to your site, meaning the right people (your target customers) are able to find your website.

It is also essential that the content of your website – the headlines, the words, and images are addressing the questions and doubts that your target customers have so that they are persuaded to do business with you.

This is why we often recommend people to research the website design company thoroughly. You want to make sure that they are not just good at creating great designs, but that they are also able to cover off all the bases required to ensure that the website you end up with ultimately generates results and return on your investment.

By Brent Kelly – Zeald.com For more information visit www.zeald.com

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News

RD … is now the right time to invest in your future?

“Market saturation is inevitable for most products and services so you need to innovate to meet constantly changing customer demand,” Campbell says.

To date, TechNZ’s investments of $450 million have helped approximately 4500 New Zealand businesses. What the organisation does, in an R&D nutshell, involves setting investment strategies and facilitating investment processes to guide investments they make in other businesses.

By Kate Pierson

New Zealand is world renowned and respected for its beautiful landscape, Kiwi ingenuity and green fingers when it comes to recycling and sustainability. Yet behind this pristine facade, the lifeblood of New Zealand and backbone to the economy — our businesses — are falling short. In turn, New Zealand is starting to fall behind and more than 78,000 Kiwis are leaving annually to seek better employment opportunities offshore.

Studies by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) have shown that investment in Research and Development (R&D) is about half the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average.

In 2004, only one percent of New Zealand’s gross domestic product was dedicated to R&D expenditure, which was well below the OECD average.

about New Zealand’s lacklustre approach to R&D and the potential consequences of this nonchalance. On its website, MoRST maintains that a pro-active approach to R&D is critical to New Zealand’s prosperity and “an increase in business R&D is necessary if New Zealand companies are to remain competitive worldwide”. So why are we falling behind in R&D?

Is the time right?

As New Zealanders move beyond the tubulent economic times, many are asking if now is the right time to be investing in R&D. The answer is yes.

Our quintessential Kiwi ingenuity will certainly help New Zealand regain its financial footing, but for businesses, having a strong knowledge of their enterprise, target market and strategising for the future, will ensure this happens.

As the world moves towards a period of economic recovery, New Zealand businesses will want to look at how they can maximise their productivity and earning potential through research and development methods.

A New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) report ‘Changing the Game: Recession Survival Strategies’ says investing expenditure in R&D during a recession is advantageous to a business, so post–recession companies should be looking to invest substantially in R&D. “Increased R&D can also create products that meet the increasingly diverse needs of customers and helps firms identify and focus on the innovative products that provide the most value,” NZTE says.

What is R&D?

Invest for results

The OECD Frascati Manual defines R&D as, “creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge,” but the interpretation of what R&D is and how to use it will vary depending on a company and its operational nature and needs. Definitions aside, R&D is a vital tool for businesses and a way to protect the economy and livelihood of current and future generations.

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) has also created TechNZ, a government funded initiative, which runs a business investments programme designed to support companies and people undertaking research and development. Its mission is to invest for results and deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities to all New Zealanders.

In New Zealand, R&D is a hot topic for all the wrong reasons.

Our national headlines have been inundated with warnings

FRST’s manager of investment services, Hamish Campbell, believes that in the context of New Zealand’s commercial

Helping

leaky home owners

sector, R&D is of critical importance. “When businesses invest in R&D, they are investing in their future. Without an ongoing investment in R&D, the risk is you simply get outpaced by your competitors.

Its regional TechNZ partners, located throughout New Zealand, help companies develop and commercialise new products. “Our funding support ranges anywhere from $10,000 to more than $1 million depending on the size and aspiration of the business.

“We also look to connect businesses to the experts both technical and commercial to ensure that they have the right people on board to deliver the result,” Campbell explains.

A tool for all trades The notion of research methodologies and development proposals can be misleading for smaller businesses, as this terminology is considered to have scientific and corporate connotations. While R&D has propelled New Zealand’s science and corporate sectors forward, it is a tool that can benefit companies of all trades and sizes.

Smaller businesses can benefit from in-house research and development. Accountants, lawyers or bank managers can discuss costs and how to incorporate R&D into a business.

Local polytechnics and institutes of technology can assist in a pro bono capacity by offering staff and students to help with R&D projects. More comprehensive, scientific research can be conducted in collaboration with universities or Crown research institutes.

R&D for success There would be few who would argue against the benefits of R&D. As the recipe for success on a personal, professional, societal and economic scale, it allows companies and staff to acquire knowledge that empowers and educates them.

As we move into a period of recovery, businesses will want to strategise for the future. R&D can also help companies become reacquainted with their market and with themselves. A move towards R&D will secure New Zealand’s footing on the world’s economic stage and perhaps bring home the talent that has left for greener pastures.

BarterZone NZ is offering assistance to homeowners as the number of leaky-home victims continues to balloon.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers report released last December showed that between 22,000 and 89,000 houses leak. However, the consensus view was that 42,000 houses leak.

With more claims being received by the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service, and talk that the estimated cost to fix homes is in the region of $11 billion to $22 billion, BarterZone CEO Patrick Howard is feeling for homeowners affected.

BarterZone, which launched in October last year, is offering an interest free credit line to help homeowners with costs to help repair their homes. “We’ve seen so many people hurting when they discover the enormity of

having a home that is affected by leaky building syndrome. We’re in a unique position to be able to help these people through our network of builders and related tradespeople,” Howard says.

“Approved homeowners will be able to join BarterZone and tap into this network and through an interest free credit line to have their home repaired. This means that at least some of the stress they are facing can be reduced and they can then set about having their home restored to its former glory,” he says.

With so many homeowners affected, BarterZone is hoping it can in some way help alleviate some of the stresses the homeowners are facing.

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 13

Living | Today

iPhone apps with attitude

products

14

As a purported mystical figure of luck, the numeral seven represents the number of stars in the big dipper, wonders in the ancient world and days in a week. Seven is also the number of iPhone apps that have made our “must have” iPhone applications list.

A contemporary take on the traditional Top 10, this compilation is comprised of apps selected with your social, physical and emotional spirit in mind.

Shozu We’ve taken our personality and cloned it, because cyberspace has taken the meaning, ‘be who you want to be’ to a whole new level. Existing in two dimensions, we have on and offline identities and as the trend for socialising becomes transfixed on tweeting, posting, chatting and networking, it’s our online persona that’s prevailing. So with social savvy, time-conscious and general yuppies in mind, the Shozu iPhone app has been created, allowing users to interact with a host of social websites including Twitter and networking haven Facebook. Shozu has taken the ‘be in two places at once’ expression to the extreme and then quadrupled it, so your availability to the world around you knows no bounds.

Jamie Oliver 20 minute meals It’s every women’s fantasy and every male appetite’s dream; Jamie Oliver in the kitchen. The Jamie Oliver 20 minute meals iPhone app is all about abandoning your culinary inhibitions. With access to more than 60 gourmet meals, 90 minutes of video clips, helpful hints and a step-by-step pictorial guide, you’ll be a fine food connoisseur in a Jamie Oliver heartbeat. In a rather odd twist, the motion of moving your iPhone draws out a random recipe from this app’s imagination. It’s like a palate pleasing pick’n’mix — you never know what you’re going to get.

Dictionary.com SMS, txtese, chatspeak or more familiarly, what we know as text talk, is launching a take-over of conventional language. Depends on who you’re asking; but they’ll either attest it’s making a mockery

| Auckland Today | July/August 2010

of language and literacy, or revolutionising the ethos of expression. Either way; until the time abbreviations, acronyms and conversing in code reigns supreme, a mind rich in vocabulary variety is still your best bet for mastering the art of communication and the Dictionary.com iPhone app can be your portable tutor. As an academic archive, this app features a database of more than 275,000 definitions and 80,000 synonyms and has auto-pronunciations, alphabetical indexing and word origin history on file. With the dictionary.com app, you’ve got the world of words at your fingertips.

Shazam Call yourself a music enthusiast? Well you’re not a living breathing expression of this term until you have Shazam on your iPhone. With a proprietary recognition system, it’s got an ear for music this one and by simply holding your iPhone to a speaker and tapping “tag now,” Shazam will listen to the beat, interpret the sound and translate the track’s title and artist. But it’s not just a music discovery engine, because with this app, you can attach photos to clips or view compatible songs on YouTube. Shazam is a music matchmaker.

Good Guide Today we live on a diet of instant gratification in the form of fried and fast foods. But it’s time to reacquaint ourselves with delicious traditionalism and seek out safe and sustainable nutrition. With the Good Guide iPhone app, you can shop with knowledge.

Representing 50,000 products and companies, it’ll be your environmental and social conscience, with a barcode scanner to boot. Just aim your iPhone camera

at the product and hit ‘scan barcode’. Each product has a rating plus a breakdown, because the Good Guide is all about product transparency. It’s the iPhone app that let’s you be the judge.

FlightTrack Pro Ranked as one of the Top 10 iPhones app’s of 2010, FlightTrack Pro is your essential travel companion.

It covers more than 5,000 airports worldwide and if you’ve got a tendency to forget rather than file your itinerary info, FlightTrack Pro allows you to save flight schedules up to 11 months in advance and it’ll even automatically synchronise them for you. It’s got an intuitive nature this one; predicting flight delays with the aid of airport warnings and historical delay forecasts. FlightTrack Pro will also help you find flight alternatives with a tap, track domestic and international flights and it’ll keep you up to speed with airtime and altitude.

Good Night Sleep is hibernation for the mind and body; preparation for the spontaneity that life’s sure to bring each day.

And while our days are often dictated by bells and whistles, the transition from asleep to awake should be all about ease. The Good Night iPhone app is exactly who you should to go to bed with every night. Working with your iPhone’s microphone or accelerometer, Good Night monitors your sleep phases during a 30 minute span of your selection. Sensing your subtlest movements, it calculates your sleep rhythm and will nudge you from rest to reality during your lightest sleeping phase. This app has a sensitive side and knows just how to tune into your body clock.

7 ways to understand ‘apps’ An app can range from a game to help fill  Application software, also known as applications or  in a couple of minutes while cruising in a taxicab to apps, is computer software designed to help perform singular or multiple related specific tasks

 Think of an app as being an electric lightbulb and

the electric power generation plant is a system. The power plant generates electricity, which is not of any real use until harnessed to an application like the lightbulb which performs a service to benefit the user

 An app gets more out of your existing technology.

Think of Facebook as one giant app applied to your computer to help you communicate fully with others

 Apps are not restricted to iPhone or iPod Touch

usage and they’re not restricted to Apple products either, with apps available for Blackberries, PSPs, cellphones and more

a program which resets your circadian rhythms after traversing the international dateline

 One of the easiest ways to source apps

is at the apps store, an online store specialising in applications for mobile devices. The original app store was run by Apple and other companies soon picked up the concept so they could create and sell applications to users as well

 Applications in an app store can vary in

cost, from free downloads to bank balance drainers, depending on who developed the application and its purpose. The good news is, most paid downloads are relatively low priced.

Living | Today

touches of style

lifestyles

Travel style

Azure Lodge Queenstown

DIY fashion style Shoes of Prey

Techno style

Ecosol Powerstick

Murphy’s law says that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Never has the saying been more apt than when it comes to mobile phone batteries — just when you need your phone the most, it dies. A handy gadget that can recharge your phone (and your social life) is the Ecosol Powerstick. Complete with nine device connectors, it is capable of recharging virtually all your portable devices. The Powerstick itself is also rechargeable, quickly charging through the USB port concealed beneath its end cap.

Ever had one of those moments where your shoes just aren’t quite perfect — the strap is just a little too high or the heel a smidgeon too short? Finding the perfect pair of women’s shoes just got a whole lot easier, with the launch of Shoes of Prey. The first-of-a-kind website uses online technology to turn women around the world into high fashion shoe designers. From high heels to low heels, bows to straps, open toe to closed toe, suede to snakeskin, shoe shoppers can now have their own choice, and a near endless choice, designing the exact fashion shoe they want and have it shipped worldwide. No design experience or special software is required — all that is required is a web connection and your personal style. Users can save their designs and get their friends’ comments. The shoes are individually hand crafted from top quality materials and home delivered with a 100 percent money back satisfaction guarantee.

Wine style

Mondillo Pinot Noir 2008 This Central Otago pinot noir has scooped the top prizes in one of the country’s oldest and most respected wine competitions, picking up a gold in the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2010 and trophy for Champion Pinot Noir. The run of accolades continued for the tiny Bendigo vineyard when it swept aside 1517 wines from around the country as its 2008 Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir was named Champion Wine of Show.

Tasting notes describe the wine as a graceful, silky, single-vineyard wine which is dark in colour, elegant and balanced. It is dense and rich with beautifully scented aromas of dark-cherry and plum up front, followed by vanilla and spice.

HTC Desire

RRP: $899.99 +shipping

RRP: Prices from $900 per night

RRP: $250 for ballet flats and up to $390 for a 10cm heel, plus shipping

RRP: $79.99

Available: www.expansys. co.nz

Contact: Azure Lodge, phone (03) 409 0588, email rsvns@azur.co.nz or visit www.azur.co.nz.

Available: www.shoesofprey.co.nz

Available: Noel Leeming stores and online at www.powerstick.com

Communication devices are shooting at us so fast, it’s hard to keep up. First the Blackberry, then the iPhone, now it’s the Desire — the latest and greatest multi-function smartphone from HTC. With the Desire, HTC has succeeded in creating a phone that’s almost as good for business messaging tasks as a Blackberry while offering all the features of an iPhone — and then some. At the heart of the Desire is a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor for superfast web browsing, wicked multimedia capability and if you’re absolutely desperate, you can even use it as a phone and actually talk to people. The 3.7inch OLED screen offers 480 x 800 pixels, plus there are some wicked applications for these things. However, nobody ever said cool was cheap.

Winter’s here and what better place to spend a mid-winter break than Queenstown. And it would be hard to picture a more perfect setting than the one captured by Azur Lodge. With views of both Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, Azur Lodge is one of the region’s most luxurious retreats. Perched on a hillside, the lodge and nine villas are made from silver beechwood and stone to blend with the surroundings. Floor to ceiling windows take advantage of the breathtaking scenery, as does the large outside deck. It is all set among 1.4 hectares of native bush. Azur captures the best of both worlds, amazing views in a tranquil and isolated setting only five minutes from downtown Queenstown.

Available: Selected bars and supermarkets RRP: $47.99

Home style Apaiser Haven

One of the best ways to relax, unwind and thaw out during the cold winter months is in a luxurious bath with some bubbles — both the bath kind and the beverage kind. Apaiser sits among the world’s best designers of freestanding stone bath tubs. The Haven is fluid in form, made from handcrafted stone, has a soft warm organic feel and remains highly resistant to abrasions, scratches and stains. The sleek minimalist designs will transform any bathroom into an oasis of tranquility, elegance and calm. Say goodbye to the winter blues in your very own luxurious and inviting Haven bath.

Available: Inovo, phone (09) 379 7399 or visit www.inovo.co.nz RRP: $10,750

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 15

News

By Melinda Collins

For the past 10 years, Tourism New Zealand has marketed our country under the ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ banner. Everything the organisation does internationally — advertising, PR, online communication, travel trade and events — carries the Pure message.

The essence of our predominant tourism campaign is a clean and green country and we pump millions of dollars into this every single year. It’s what we’re known for — at least on the bank statements of Tourism New Zealand. If the Government and its agencies purport this image to be our selling point, who are we to argue?

Selling to

Uncle

So, when businesses get on the exporting bandwagon, assuming this eco-image is the way to go, it can be a fatal mistake — especially if you’re looking stateside.

Kiwi companies looking to sell their wares in the US are being advised to tone down the clean green headlines in favour of quality and local craftmanship. ‘Clean and green’ might work wonders when it comes to selling holiday spots, but is a less compelling currency when it comes to business.

Sam

Research conducted by the Seattlebased Hartman Group for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), shows Americans only possess an entry level understanding of sustainability and

are not familiar with terms such as ‘food miles’ or ‘traceability’.

“Fresh is an uber-symbol of quality and sustainability,” the report says.

Other than a small, but growing, core of eco-aware consumers, most US consumers do not equate sustainability to concern for the planet, NZTE international market manager, Americas, Alison Foreshaw says.

While Americans do not spend time thinking about where their products come from, the research says they do notice if they’re made in mass-producing markets. “Frequently, products perceived as high quality in the US are the opposite to stereotypes of typical ‘factory’ production. The research has shown that NZ is perceived to be clean and pure, with very strict environmental regulations and no over-exploitation of resources, not a mass-producing, over-industrialised country,” Foreshaw says.

“NZ businesses can use this information to inform strategies for effectively targeting key US market segments,” she says.

“It will help companies to leverage existing product and company attributes, many which relate to sustainability, to meet American consumer priorities within specific product categories, optimising communications, branding and business development activities, etcetera.”

The research, which focused on consumer products, especially food and beverage, interiors and apparel, has identified quality as an overriding purchase factor for most US consumers.

“It is about helping NZ businesses understand the importance of quality and the factors regarded as ‘quality indicators’ to the US market and how important it is for those selling quality products to communicate values like purity, freshness and safety.”

While urging us to flag clean and green, the good news for New Zealand is the characteristics of quality are startingly similar as the mentioned values.

“This is an important link for producers of quality New Zealand product to be aware of. The research supports NZTE’s work to help companies understand US market drivers around sustainability, quality and priorities for consumer product purchases.”

Current perceptions are in NZ’s favour, Foreshaw says. “Current US consumer knowledge of NZ is limited, but perception is overwhelmingly positive. It’s perceived as a progressive country and producer of pure, safe, fresh products.

“Many positive perceptions of New Zealand relate to sustainability. For example, respect for the natural environment, kind treatment of animals and people, as well as pastoral farming practices. Such perceptions contribute to positive views on NZ consumer products.”

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16

| Auckland Today | July/August 2010

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Making online tools easy Business Online Limited (Bizo) is offering businesses a wide range of simplified IT services, including managed security and application services that are at the forefront of internet technology and business.

Bizo was formed in 2004 by Waynne Dartnall and Tim Mulcock, who today head a team of 20 staff from their central Auckland and North Shore operations. Both Waynne and Tim are well known as visionaries in the IT industry and have extensive experience in business management, finance, marketing and technology.

Bizo services have been designed to meet the unique needs of the SME market and are cost effective, reliable, easy to set up and easy to use.

The company is revolutionising the provisioning of technology for business, by transforming and simplifying a wide range of historically localised business tools, including secure internet access, online backups, business email, office connectivity, and voice solutions, into online services. Many products are designed by the company, while others have been enhanced to meet Bizo’s high standards. Waynne Dartnall says the company’s services are split into four main areas – Get Connected, Get Secure, Get Working and Get Talking.

Get Connected “Get Connected is our number one focus and growth area and involves anything to do with connecting your business to the outside world to improve communication with your staff, customers and business partners.” he says.

“The real challenge today is how do you connect everyone together safely and securely? Businesses are becoming much more location independent with the growth in mobility and the introduction of new devices such as netbooks, iPads, smartphones and cheaper laptops. The need for general remote access is growing and it needs to be secure and managed.”

Bizo provides high-speed and secure network and internet connectivity. The Bizo Internet Connection offers several unique advantages, including in-built security, flexibility, reliability and predictable costs.

Bizo Office Connect is our premier service that provides secure, high-speed network connectivity between national and regional sites.“Businesses need more robust networks and they need to be managed.”

Get Secure New Zealand businesses are also becoming increasingly aware of the need to protect their online data. Bizo’s Get Secure products offer a range of protection options for customers, including Bizo Defend Services, which protects your business from hackers and other external threats without requiring expensive equipment or technical expertise.

The Bizo Desktop Security Suite provides comprehensive protection against viruses, hackers, identity thieves, spyware, spam, offensive web sites and other online threats, while Bizo Anti-Virus provides easy-to-use,

award-winning, business-strength online protection for office PC’s. “Spam continues to be a major headache for a lot of businesses. Our Email Guard service stops spam.

It is a big thing and is our own product,” Dartnall says.

“Our online backup service is also growing.

Backup is a key thing that businesses should do, but often don’t. With our online backup service, we simply set up a backup schedule on a customer’s server, desktops or notebooks, and from that point on it’s automatically backed up every day and stored securely in our backup silos in the event of a disaster.”

Get Working A key part of Get Working is Bizo mail, a business email service hosted in a secure data centre. It includes address books, appointment scheduling, task management, anti-virus and anti-spam and is accessible from anywhere.

“This is becoming more important. There’s a lot of investment and skills required in supporting full featured mail servers and outsourcing it makes sense,” says Dartnall.

Another Get Working product is Back Office, an instant intranet/extranet service that allows teams to create websites that serve as the central repository of information for sharing and collaboration. “Back Office is about moving your information resources to our data centre. You don’t need your own servers and all your information is stored on our central servers where it’s secure and safe.”

Waynne Dartnall

Get Talking Bizo Local Access replaces the Telecom physical phone lines with a Bizo Phone Line, and combined with Bizo Tolls can save a business a considerable amount of money every month. “PABX is another big growth area, especially when you look at convergence and the benefits of integrating your voice and data services,” Dartnall says.

Bizo is focused on servicing mainstream New Zealand businesses and has customers with hundreds of sites throughout the country down to very small single-site businesses.

“It’s about taking the complexity out of IT. There’s so much confusing information and endless costs, particularly with business-class solutions. We design an integrated package to suit each customer’s needs.

And we focus on customer care. We have a three-ring policy, so when someone rings our company the phone wont ring more than 3 times before it is answered by a real support person. We offer 24/7 support for our customers as fewer and fewer businesses never close their doors.”

Bizo’s products are available through a range of channel partners, with Bizo staff providing all the support and back up.

Tim Mulcock Business Online Limited PO Box 9118, Auckland 1142 T (09) 918 5391 | F (09) 918 5415 www.bizoservices.com

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 17

In entering dictionaries after World War II, the word motel (a portmanteau of motor and hotel), referred initially to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms or a series of small cabins.

As the national state highway system developed in the early twentieth century, long distance road journeys became more common and the need for inexpensive, easily accessible accommodation sited close to main routes, led to the growth of the motel concept.

The growth and development of the motelling industry set the wheels in motion for another type of business - travel agencies. Aptly named, a travel agency works as an agent between customer and supplier, most agencies receiving some form of commission, allowing for the industry to be financially viable.

This very structure prompted a Taupo motelier to create a business model assisting both accomodation providers and customers alike.

Launched in May, Stay in New Zealand is an innovative accommodation booking site. The website www.stayinnewzealand.co.nz charges no booking fees and its instant booking confirmations are a popular drawcard for customers.

General manager Kayne Ginger, as the owner of his own motel in Taupo, has long recognised the value of online bookings. "We list our motel on websites all over the world, some charging 25-30 percent in commission - that's a substantial amount. Some of these organisations are making millions every day.

We recognised the need to keep commission rates under control and help out the little guys."

It's a simple concept, he adds. "We promote accommodation around New Zealand without charging the exorbitant commissions or the booking fees which are industry standard. Motel owners aren't losing as much, the customers get better deals and no booking fees - it's a win-win for everyone.

"Our objective is to get your property out into the online public domain to sell your product and to get you the bookings without charging high commissions.

"There are no set up costs - it is completely free to sign up. There are no hidden agendas or tricks - we are simply a small Kiwi business trying to help other like minded Kiwi businesses succeed.�

While it's baby steps for the meantime, more than 100 properties are expected to be listed on the accommodation website within just months of its launch and increase significantly from there.

18

| Auckland Today | July/August 2010

"It's been a huge journey - a year in the making and on an absolutely shoestring budget. But that has allowed us to take our time and get everything right. Being both a motel owner and a consumer, I know what both sides are after and with Stay in New Zealand I am able to offer a service which is advantageous to both."

Stay in New Zealand is sure to deliver with accommodation to cover all ends of the spectrum.

From luxury hotels and resorts, to self catering motels and bed and breakfasts, in popular tourist hot spots to out of the way locations, www.stayinnewzealand.co.nz has listings to suit all needs and budgets.

Just an easy hour's scenic drive of Christchurch's International Airport, the Terrace Downs Resort is perched on the edge of the spectacular Rakaia River.

Boasting stunning views up to Mt Hutt with close proximity to various ski fields, Terrace Downs is your winter retreat.

The Pisa Range Lake Resort is a brand new luxury complex in Cromwell. Its Boatshed Villas are built over a newly constructed marina on the shore of Lake Dunstan allowing for the morning rays to bounce off pristine waters and sparkle through the windows of your southern destination.

Central Queenstown's luxury Pounamu Apartments feature the best of contemporary design. With five star architecturally designed apartments and all the conveniences of home with no compromise on quality, Queenstown in winter is the place to be.

Enjoy the best Auckland has to offer with harbour cruises, beaches, vineyards, al-fresco cafes, boutique fashion houses and international golf courses. Mount Richmond Hotel puts you on the doorstep to all this and more with friendly staff, great food and luxurious accommodation.

The Waterfront Suites, Paihia are an oasis of tranquility.

The brand new luxury hotel is situated only steps away from Paihia's restaurants and wharf - the perfect location to see all the glorious Bay of Islands and Northland region has to offer.

These properties and many more are available now from www.stayinnewzealand.co.nz

Stay in New Zealand E sweetas@stayinnewzealand.co.nz www.stayinnewzealand.co.nz

Give her a life, not a life sentence Molly is an innocent child, but she faces a cruel future. She is an orphan and lives with her grandmother in a Nairobi slum. Her grandmother is sick and dying. Soon Molly could be completely alone. She’ll have no home. No way to live. And no one to care for her.

Without help from someone like you, Molly will join the other street orphans who live in packs, scavenging for food in the rubbish. She’ll suffer from hunger, cold and exploitation. Or worse, she won’t survive at all.

You can help rescue an orphan like Molly from a life of struggle and despair for just $20 a month, just 66 cents a day. Your regular gift will help to provide the clean water, food and care these vulnerable children urgently need.

Children like Molly are all alone in the world, and they are waiting to be rescued.

Please don’t leave it until it’s too late.

Join ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue today!

Call 0800 223 987 or visit www.childfund.org.nz Mail the coupon. Do it now!

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Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 19

Are you thinking About chAnging jobs in the next 12 months? conFucius sAys:

“ Do a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life” .

The only way you’ll find out what you’re truly worth is by going to the market!

We’ve recently been voted one of the best sites in nZ and We Want you to benefit...

This is your ideal chance to be headhunted! In today’s employment market you have the upper hand, so get employers looking for you. You can keep your identity hidden so your current employer doesn’t see it.

Register now and receive free email alerts.

Alternatively, you can simply post your CV and see what opportunities knock on your door to the new future.

To help you find that perfect job, you can create your own work wanted ad. This is where you state exactly what job/career you want, what location you’d like to work in, how much money you want, when you want to start and what benefits would keep you happy.

We also have some progressive companies with video profiles of their organisations and amenities, so you can really see what it’s like there before wasting your time.

This is your job space – provided by Kiwis for the benefit of all Kiwis.

Proud to be the only major Kiwi owned job site!

So log on to www.myjobspace.co.nz and view the thousands of jobs.

NZ s largest Kiwi owned job site

Log on to www.myjobspAce.co.nz or phone 0800 4 toDAy (0800 486 329) level 3, 818 colombo street, christchurch, nZ.

20 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

*

apply now

Events | Diary Grow your business Thursday, July 8

|

events

Relentless Change — The Knowledge Gym

A thought provoking workshop to equip yourself to manage change and hopefully have you relishing it. From 8.30am to 12pm. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

Thursday, July 8 Workplace Coaching and Mentoring — EMA Northern

Coaching is a constant requirement because of staff development caused by the pace of change in technology and processes. EMA members $410+GST, non-members $525+GST. Contact Deborah Law-Carruthers (09) 367 0947 or email deborah.lawcarruthers@ema.co.nz

Monday, July 12 Residential Rental Property Workshop — Inland Revenue

This workshop is for people who have or are planning to purchase a residential rental property.

Through practical examples it will cover your end of year obligations about income and deductible expenses, depreciation, record keeping and online filing. From 10am to noon in Takapuna. To register contact (09) 984 1389 or email advisory.takapuna@ird.govt.nz

Wednesday, July 14 Employers PAYE and Kiwisaver Workshop — Inland Revenue

Find out more about your employer obligations with IRD. Learn through practical examples about PAYE, record keeping, FBT, Kiwisaver and online filing. From 1.30-3.30pm in Takapuna.

To register contact (09) 984 1391 or email advisory.takapuna@ird.govt.nz

Wednesday, July 21 Chairing the Board — Institute of Directors

This course is designed to fine tune the effectiveness and leadership skills of existing chairmen using realistic, simulated company situations and interactive discussion. A great tool for directors preparing for the challenges of chairmanship. From 8.30am to 5.30pm. To register contact Lisa McMillan Wellington office (04) 474 7651 or email professionaldevelopment@iod.org.nz

Wednesday, July 21 Managing Employee Leave — EMA Northern

To enable you to administer and manage the range of acts and leave obligations required in today’s workplace. This course clearly identifies minimum leave entitlements and employee protection provisions required by law. EMA members $390+GST, non-members $525+GST. To register contact Bill Butler (09) 367 0971 or email bill.butler@ema.co.nz

Wednesday, July 21 Presenting Financial Information — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

Share techniques to help you improve your presentation of financial information to non-financial executives. To register visit www.nzica.com

Thursday, July 22 The Art of Delegation — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Delegation is one of the most important management skills. Don’t be the “do-it-yourself” manager and avoid the stress mess. From 9am to 4pm. Members $320+GST, non-members $480+GST. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

Tuesday, July 27 GST Workshop — Inland Revenue

A workshop for people who are new to business, covering GST basics, how to complete GST returns, invoices and online filing. From 10am to 12pm in Takapuna. To register contact (09) 984 1389 or email advisory.takapuna@ird.govt.nz

Thursday, August 5 Mastering the Art of Deliberate Success — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

Success requires more than just luck. People who are successful think and act in ways that are different from other people. They achieve success despite setbacks and they do so with less effort and with less pressure on their personal or home life. To register visit www.nzica.com

Sunday, August 8 to Friday, August 13 Company Directors’ Course — Institute of Directors

A week-long residential course which gives a comprehensive understanding of the roles, duties, skills and knowledge required for competent directorship in New Zealand. This course comes alive through discussion, participation and debate. From 8.30am to 5pm daily. To register contact Lisa McMillan at the Wellington office (04) 474 7651 or email professionaldevelopment@iod.org.nz

Thursday, August 12 Do it Now Debt Recovery — Auckland Chamber of Commerce

An ideal course to provide hands on training for any small to medium business that has encountered debt management problems. From 9am to 12pm. Members $160+GST, nonmembers $240+GST. To register visit www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

Thursday, August 12 Rippa! — The Knowledge Gym

How do we reclaim and focus our energy to ensure we get what we truly want out of life and become more effective? Rediscover how to keep you and your team focused and energised to do what really counts. From 8.30am to 12pm. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

Monday, August 23 Effective Induction — EMA Northern

An effective induction programme makes a new employee feel part of the organisation with the required skills and knowledge to perform. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance and skills of induction. EMA members $410+GST, non-members $525+GST. To register contact Bill Butler (09) 367 0971 or email bill.butler@ema.co.nz

Viewpoints | Management

Creating a positive work environment

By Greg Watson

I believe four elements help to create and maintain a positive working environment.

These elements are:  Showing interest in your team members  Creating an encouraging working environment  Recognising and rewarding good performance  Having fun.

Show your team you are interested in them by asking their opinions, complimenting their work and offering help.

I recommend “MBWA” — Management By Walking Around. Get among your team, discuss their work, be available and chat or share a laugh. If each team member feels valued they will work positively towards the common cause, or their individual task.

A team which feels ignored will also feel unappreciated, could head off task and lose respect for management due to the leader’s unavailability and inability to direct.

be those that employees have chosen for themselves, as this increases the ‘buy-in’ factor of your team.

Most people would agree that an encouraging working environment is one where ideas are valued and rewarded, fun and laughter is par for the course, you are thanked for your contributions and you feel like part of a team.

By the nature of it, going to work each day means you do need to work. However, creating a fun environment really helps to foster happiness, a good team spirit and can put a little positive unpredictability into the day.

My team is encouraged to come up with new ideas and improvements. Team members are then rewarded by seeing them put in place.

Happy employees are productive employees.

Find reasons to celebrate together, such as birthdays, a new child, a small milestone and have a morning tea or cake to celebrate. On the board in the break room write up “Today we are celebrating… ”, and this will help connect the entire staff.

An encouraging environment benefits employees and they tend to contribute more ideas, feel more committed, look forward to coming to work, are more productive and have an increased self esteem. Benefits to management include reduced staff turnover, greater loyalty, increasing ease of attracting new employees and higher overall productivity.

Recognising and rewarding good performance should greatly increase the chances that similar performance will continue in future.

Getting to know your staff will help you decide what drives them. Most of my team are not motivated primarily by money. Some will prefer rewards such as a compliment, getting a “thank you” or applause at a meeting.

Others may be driven by time off with family, a promotion, tickets to an event, or public recognition of their achievements.

Having clearly defined expectations of your team will help with setting goals and setting rewards. The most successful rewards can

Encourage your team to see the funny side of the day-to-day events that may otherwise drag them down. It’s much better to laugh than cry!

Create events such as an end of month gettogether for employees and friends, outings like go-karting or playing ambrose golf.

Recently, my staff thought they were going on a training field trip and we ended up having a departmental mini golf challenge. Imagine their delight when they discovered learning about law had been replaced with learning to master the lawn!

So go out there and have some fun, take your team with you and the rewards will follow.

Greg Watson runs the multiple national award winning property management company Watson Real Estate Ltd — www.watsonproperty.co.nz

Thursday, August 26 Not-for-profit Governance Essentials — Institute of Directors

This course has been designed to illustrate good governance practises in the not-for-profit environment. It assists senior managers who interact with boards, individuals interested in becoming a director and new directors working in the NFP sector. To register contact Lisa McMillan at the Wellington office (04) 474 7651 or email professionaldevelopment@iod.org.nz

Thursday, August 26 Tax Issues for Exporters — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

An overview of the latest developments in international tax issues for exporters, plus a refresher of some of the key concepts in international tax. To register visit www.nzica.com

If you have events you would like featured in the Events Diary, email newsroom@academy.net.nz at least two months before the date of the event.

Or, if you have held an event and would like to supply photos for the Been Seen section (along with 100 words about the event and a caption for each image), send to newsroom@academy.net.nz

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 21

News

Making

effective messages

By Melinda Collins

In sport, most amateurs stumble along grabbing the occasional win with no clear action plan. Professionals, on the other hand, march in with an effective strategy and take out the game. In business, as with sport, strategy can make all the difference.

When promoting your business, this strategy is known as marketing. As simple as this seems, it is still where confusion is often found.

Advertising is a single component of the marketing process. It is the part that involves getting the word out concerning your business, product or the services you are offering. It involves placing advertisements in newspapers, direct mail, billboards and television. While advertising is the largest expense of most marketing plans, it is not marketing.

Marketing encompasses your entire game plan or strategy. It is the systematic planning, implementation and control of a mix of business activities designed to take that product or service to the market. Marketing incorporates everything an organisation does to facilitate an exchange between company and consumer.

US-based BN Branding’s director John Furgurson describes the difference. “Every year millions of dollars are wasted on advertising that is well produced, but not very well thought out. Rather like a supermodel… nice to look at but there’s just no substance there.”

So if you think that because you’re advertising, you’re marketing — think again. If you are advertising separate from any greater marketing strategy, you’re doing only half a percent of what your marketing campaign can and should do, Bold Horizon senior brand strategist Wayne Attwell says.

“Too often struggling and confused companies throw money into costly advertising campaigns, new websites or glossy brochures, believing them to be the ‘cure-all’ for slow sales or lost marketshare.

Marketing’s future

By Bridget Gourlay

Predicting the future is always a risky affair, but in the world of marketing, keeping your finger on the pulse of where and how to advertise is crucial.

TBWA Group CEO David Walden says there has been a “seismic change” in marketing with the advent of social networking, the digital age and the change in when and how people watch TV, with programmes being available on network websites, able to be watched any time of the day or night for weeks after they’ve aired.

“The world’s changed. It used to be that clever marketers would whack an ad on TV, on a billboard, in the paper and wait for people to respond. People are now taking on board messages when they want it. Now we still create a campaign, we use some traditional forms of advertising, but we’re also sensitive that there are a lot of other ways to get your message out there.”

Walden says companies and products need to be tuned to “receive” rather than “transmit” when interacting with their public. He cites Cadbury changing to palm oil last year as an example of where social networking hit back.

“People got up in arms on websites and Facebook groups were formed. My company has tools where we listen to the dialogue of social media platforms; we monitor the conversations about our brands. We know what percentages are negative, positive and neutral.

“People used to talk about word of mouth. These days I think it’s about word of mouse.”

So has Twitter killed the television star? Not exactly.

“In reality however, advertising and promotions are only the tactical implementation of a well planned marketing strategy and when effectively integrated into the overall marketing mix the results can be outstanding. But all too often the underlying marketing strategy is sadly lacking.”

Attwell says some key elements need to be in place before you can plan and execute an effective marketing campaign:

 Your potential markets may be spread over large

geographic areas, so apply the 80/20 rule “Identify a realistically manageable segment of the market your company can accurately target, considering your capabilities, limitations and available budget.”

Walden says that far from getting rid of traditional forms of media advertising, products simply need to be marketed on a combination of old and new media.

 Get to know your customer

University of Auckland’s business school marketing head Professor Rod Brodie agrees. He cites Dove as an example of a company that has shifted from a “market to” philosophy to “market with and among”.

 Know what sets you aside from competitors and what

“Dove soap is a big multi-national with a clear brand. They’ve done a lot of traditional, very targeted advertising campaigns, but now with the internet there’s been a shift and so now there’s encouraged online engagement.” On the Dove website, there are blogs and discussion topics about life and beauty from style gurus and life coaches. Dove customers can sign in and comment on these issues.

Another change lies in the spaces where advertising takes place. Supermarket trolley handle bars, bus stops and toilet doors are now commonplace for ads, but wouldn’t have existed a few decades ago.

Professor Brodie says creators will have to keep thinking about where else they can advertise. “Increasingly, agencies will be using their imagination, in making ads and campaigns so they reach their target audience. Traditional media can be very crude in doing that.”

“If you don’t know your customers, how will you know what to say to them in your marketing and advertising message?” you’re up against “Developing and understanding your unique points of difference is arguably the most critical part of your marketing strategy and should supersede any tactical programmes. A deep understanding of your competitor should be an essential part of your marketing strategy. By understanding the habits, likes, dislikes and buying triggers of our target market customers, we are better equipped to decide on the best method of interacting with them.”

 Don’t forget your customers are still human

“Why do we so often forget to appeal to the human needs of our corporate and industrial buyers? Instead we try to bombard them with a long list of technical features of our product, forgetting to appreciate and satisfy their decision making criteria and personality type.

 Advertising expenditure should be a component of a larger plan, opposed to an isolated entity in itself “Marketing is certainly a mixture of art and science but no matter which side of the equation you stand on, having a strong marketing strategy in place is essential for success.”

smart sale$

22 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

So no writing on the moon or holograms yet, but time will tell…

News

Paying for

performance

By Melinda Collins

‘You can’t manage what you can’t measure’ is an adage that has been around forever.

One of the most common and increasingly controversial manifestations of a connection between measurement and management, is performance-related pay (PRP).

It’s not a new concept. Ever since ancient Mesopotamians were paid by the basket for picking olives, there’s been some variation of incentive pay. In the modern day the term is used fairly loosely with commissions and bonuses often thrown into the definition.

Robert Half New Zealand general manager, Megan Alexander says performance pay can work in a variety of different industries, including retail.

“It can be very morale boosting. You need to understand employees’ needs and that means talking to them. You need to understand everyone is different. The hardest thing is getting a platform pay structure that tailors to everyone’s needs.”

There are some keys to integrating a successful performance pay structure, she says.

“The key is expectation management, communication and clarifying to people why they are not getting bonuses or why they are. Make them aware and accountable.”

The general understanding of PRP is money paid to someone relating to how well he or she works. Business theorist Frederick Winslow Taylor was a great supporter of this method of payment, believing money was the main incentive for increased productivity.

While she says people need to take into consideration the business’ financial capabilities, money isn’t everything. “It can be a lot more simple than people think — it could be allowances for mobile phones, through to the employee not being penalised to look after a sick child,” she says.

Other proponents say PRP provides a direct incentive for employees to achieve a defined work target and, as their contribution is recognised through a tangible reward, motivation and commitment improve, directly influencing overall productivity and performance.

“Pay is not always the main driver of people’s happiness. Yes, people need to feel rewarded and recognised, but performance pay doesn’t solve everything.

But a fundamental criticism relates to the subjective nature of performance and suggests the performance of a complex job as a whole is reduced to a simple, often single measure of performance. Criteria for call centre staff, for example, may be the length of a phone call, however this fails to take into consideration quality of help given and whether the caller’s problem had been rectified.

Latest statistics from Robert Half International’s 2010 Salary Survey suggest that while not as high as our Asian compatriots in performance pay, New Zealand is still in line with Australia.

Of the Kiwi respondents, 39 percent said they received a bonus in 2009, compared with 36 percent in Australia, 56 percent in Hong Kong, 64 percent in Japan and 75 percent in Singapore.

Macroscopic factors such as an economic downturn may also make employees appear to be performing at a lower standard, independent of actual performance. In other cases, opposition is motivated by hostilities which can arise when times of low turnover sees multiple employees vying for the attention of one customer, and when more than one employee assists one customer.

“It’s a combination of culture, strategic vision, communication — performance pay is only one way of keeping people happy.”

Of the New Zealanders, 42 percent said they did not receive a bonus, with 19 percent saying bonuses are not part of their salary package.

This year, 38 percent of New Zealand respondents said they are expecting to receive a bonus, on par with Australia; both below the average of 54 percent. Half the Kiwi respondents do not expect to receive a bonus in 2010.

Show tell

By Kate Pierson When a tradeshow’s aisles are inundated with frantic foot traffic, eager eyes are surveying the surroundings, concept-hungry minds are contemplating commercial options, and you’re in the background at your stand thinking, “I’m here, pick me, pick me!” It’s perfectly acceptable to utilise attention-seeking tactics to attract your marketshare.

By this inference, we don’t mean you should jump up and down, waving your hands in the air, or use loud and colourful behaviour to engage the curiosity of prospective buyers.

Attention-seeking in this context is about smart selling. In the craze of competition at a tradeshow it’s easy to get lost in the commercial crowd — getting noticed is everything when it comes to being a leader in the professional pack.

A tradeshow is more than a showcase or exhibition; it is a networking event and hands-on marketing opportunity for consumers and potential buyers to become visually and tactically acquainted with your products.

With this in mind, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has put together a tradeshow instruction manual for newbies and well-schooled veterans wanting to brush up on tradeshow knowledge and etiquette. Offering a comprehensive how-to

guide for maximising potential at trade events, the aptly titled, Ensuring Success at Tradeshows is a toolkit at your disposal.

From outlining your objectives, researching, budgeting, planning and pre-show promotions, to planning work at the event, conceptualising an exhibition briefing and overviewing what to do during the event, this guide has a comprehensive checklist for commencement through to completion.

A fundamental point raised in the guide, notes: “Remember trade events are just the mid-point of an integrated sales process,” and NZTE director of specialised manufacturing, Hans Frauenlob reiterates the importance of remaining committed to a trade event from start to finish.

“Attending a tradeshow can be an expensive undertaking.

Therefore, during the lead-up time it is important to recognise your target audience and identify what it is you want to achieve. This involves reaching out to your customers and leaving yourself enough money for the follow-up phase after the tradeshow.”

Frauenlob says follow-up is a critical part of the process, but this is often the aspect that is neglected by businesses.

“Nothing disappoints a prospective client more than no followup, but of equal importance to the follow-up, is of course the lead-up itself,” he explains.

Without a definitive and strategic pre-event plan in place, the professional currency you invest- aka your valuable time and resources, may be lost in translation when in essence, they should convert into increased marketshare, sales and profitability.

Frauenlob says the most effective approach to organisation at tradeshows will vary between sectors and companies depending on what they want to achieve. “Although the criteria varies, what a lot of potential exhibitors tend to do, is walk the floor of other tradeshows prior to their own and look at how they need to position their prospective products against competitors. Looking at competitors’ messages and finding a point of difference is also key.”

Finding or reinvigorating business relationships is also about prior networking and inviting prospective or current clients to attend a tradeshow you will be exhibiting at. “Instead of waiting for traffic to come to you, if you want to secure five distributors, give yourself a headstart by inviting 10 distributors you already know or you have found yourself,” he says. “It sounds cliché, but success at a tradeshow really is about preparation, preparation, preparation.”

For more information on tradeshows or to view the Ensuring Success at Tradeshows guide, visit www.nzte.govt.nz

smart sale$

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 23

News

Discount dangers

By Kate Pierson

It’s a sensory stimulant for consumers and can break budgets on a whim.

With the ability to bend the will of even the most avid window-only shopper, it’s one of the most attractive concepts to the human eye — the discount. Making the eyes wide, the sales salivary glands water and the heart pitter-patter in anticipation, it’s one of the most powerful signs in commercial language.

Yes, the discount, be it in malls, minimarts or markets, in the form of dollar deductions, percentage reductions or two-for-ones, is the magnetic drawcard for sales scouters and bargain-hunting buyers in a marketplace full of competing consumables.

But while its attractive facade has guaranteed its popularity in the sales sphere, the discount can also be what is described as a ‘frenemy,’ aka, the ‘friendly enemy’. Something which, on the surface, appears to the have all the qualities and characteristics to be a compatible friend to your business, but when you use it, undermines all that you hope to achieve.

NZ Institute of Chartered Accounts director of professional support, Tom Davies, is adamant about this. Discounting and using it for your business’ benefit requires knowledge and an educated understanding of your operation, first and foremost. His philosophy on discounting is, always analyse before you act.

“While discounting is a popular way to increase sales, what businesses need to remember, is that if they are discounting their products, they are giving away a slice of their profit. Therefore, before a discount is applied, people have to know their business and not just hope for an increase in sales and profit,” he explains.

“Before you discount, you’ve got to know how much the product is costing you and how much you need to keep your business going. Because trying to match a fellow competitor’s price without knowing these essentials can be disastrous.”

understanding the financial logistics of your business, prior to adorning shop windows with brightly coloured sales banners.

“It’s true that discounts are one way to reach customers and in some cases it can be effective.

We see it being used to attract people into shops and stores and to generate marketshare, but it is a strategy that needs to be utilised carefully,” he cautions.

Davies adds that understanding how discounts can have an immediate impact on cash and profitability is also critical, because if businesses cannot sustain their discount position in the face of a price-reduction war, they may find themselves not only being out-priced by their opposition, but susceptible to financial failure.

Davies says businesses also need to take into consideration that repetitive discounting may result in consumer demand for a permanent reduction plan, also known as a loyalty programme.

“Businesses really need to know the cost structure of their organisation and whether they can sustain their position in a potential sales war. Discounting is a strategy that is really only available to the lowest cost producers, because if you don’t have a low cost production structure in place, you’re not in a position to drop your prices and you may end up compromising the quality of your product or service if you try to.”

Humphries and Associates Limited director, Michael Humphries corroborates Davies’ views on discounting, reiterating the importance of

Underestimating the relationship between discount and volume is also a common error. “To make up your gross margin when you decrease

your prices, consumption has to increase,” Humphries explains simply.

And even if consumption increases enough to maintain a price decrease, significant costs may be attached to the investment of new staff and premises that are required to accommodate this consumption growth.

Beyond the potential implications for a business itself, discount campaigns running back to back can also negatively impact the economy due to deflation — something Humphries says has been happening in Japan for many years.

“These price wars that occur between businesses can create uncertainty for consumers because they expect prices to drop again and therefore won’t spend any money in anticipation of this happening.

“In business, a strong focus should be on unique selling points (USP). A USP is all about how a business can differentiate itself and where it will position itself in the market,” Humphries concludes.

For more information on discounting and how you can effectively implement this, or another sales strategy, seek advice from an accountant or a business consultancy firm.

smart sale$

The bottom line is, if you are going to announce a discount, you have to know the effect on your firm first.

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News Profile | Bill Buckley

By Sandy Galland

Building big things always fascinated Bill Buckley, so as a teenager, he gave away high school and began a shipbuilding apprenticeship, figuring ships to be one of the biggest things you could build.

Decades on he is a leader in the field of electromagnets and creating processes into machines which enable silicon chips to function as they do.

His interest in nuclear physics started when his older brother studied mechanical engineering — being fascinated by this, he spent eight years working for Hurst Precision. During this time he met Hilton Glavish, a physicist who encouraged him to pursue his interest in magnets.

“I was looking for a heavy machine to make big things and I figured that making magnets was quite engineering intensive.”

From these unassuming beginnings, the journey was long and complicated, but Bill’s perseverance, that special blend of number eight wire mentality backed by a determination to make “it” work has seen Buckley’s Systems Limited (BSL) become a leader in the market internationally.

“I’m an optimist I suppose. I like to get in and develop new ideas. I reckon that we all have to work hard to make a living.”

Looking back over his career, while there were many challenges, Bill says there is nothing he would change. “I have always liked challenges in life but I also like to be left alone to just chug along.”

This would explain why there is little information out there in cyberspace about Bill. Despite being awarded numerous accolades and awards along the way, he is a man of few words who places his emphases on doing, not talking. While very comfortable and confident in the output and contribution to the sector his company has made, he is reserved about talking of his role. “I just don’t like to talk too much about it, but I do know we have achieved quite a bit here,” he says.

Bill seems to encapsulate all that made this country good — he is a man with skills, a dream and a desire to work hard to do the best he can do for the people who are relying on him.

Like many of our pioneering business people he is also well versed in delivering understatements.

Despite his and the company’s success, at 67 the future worries him. “I think the current times could make us into an entirely different company; I just have to figure out how to do it going forward. The biggest problem we have got is that it is such a complicated business and it’s hard to find somebody to live and dream and work it to the extent we did in the early days. That’s a bit of a worry for me.”

Bill talks of the many limitations he has to work with today.

“The cost; the green image the government wants — it is killing us. It’s really hard to keep going. We just can’t put up our prices like the city puts up their rates because they need more money.”

The hidden costs of business are something the company must bear. “I can’t go to my customer and say I have to make his cost higher because they are putting a green tax on my electricity or because I need to meet some other hidden cost.

They would just say ‘so what, we will go to China and get it made there’.”

Bill says it feels like he is being forced out of the country … and he does not want to go. “I’m established here, and I like it here.”

He reminisces about his early days and the Rogernomics years. “This really helped us get started. It made it simple to deal with staff and things like that… taking the costs out of things.” However, this has changed and the barriers in

Bill Buckley photography by Gerald Shacklock, www.geraldshacklock.com

front of businesses seem to be getting larger by the year, Bill says. While his order books remain packed, and the company continues to fill a vital role, with a lot of overseas companies relying on the products manufactured by BSL, the recent economic downturn continues to create difficulties in accessing capital enabling it to fill the orders.

“During the downturn, we got hit really badly. We are generally the first to get hit in the world, and the first guys to get off the blocks. Now we have huge orders but I can’t get financial help to fill them. That’s our main hindrance.”

Bill’s passion for big machines has been nurtured in both the yachting and motorsports arenas. As a young man he raced motorcycle sidecars, becoming a national speedway champion in the 1960s. But racing was not enough.

In the early days after setting up BSL in 1986, he says he found the traditional approaches to gaining access to Japanese business markets were not working for him.

Instead, he decided to grab their attention through Grand Prix motorcycling racing, which the Japanese dominated at the time.

“You can spend a fortune going up there to pester them, but I was keen on motor racing and I thought that if I built a big motorbike and went up there and raced it, they would notice.”

Buckley’s response was the BSL 500 V3, regarded as New Zealand’s only homebuilt Formula 1 500cc machine. The twostroke raced as a wild card entry in the 1999 and 2000 Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champs. While his reckoning was solid, before he had the chance to make the bike competitive, Bill’s attempts to break into the American market paid off and the Japanese were soon knocking on his door asking for his help.

Today Bill is still enamored with heavy engineering, spending a great deal of his working week on the shop floor. His perseverance will continue to drive the company.

Throughout his career Bill has always put his life on the line (figuratively speaking). “Whether it is right or wrong, I have just always done it. More things pay off than not. If you use a bit of wisdom in your guess, then you have a 50/50 chance of making too much money or not enough money,” he laughs.

The challenge is keeping it on the right side of the line.

“You just have to get out there and do it.”

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 25

cutting edge

Initiatives | Buckley’s Systems Limited (BSL)

The While Mt Wellington is not the heart of the silicon chip industry and is far removed from Silicon Valley, it is home to a central player in this international high tech industry. Buckley’s Systems Limited (BSL) has cornered the world market for the big machines used to make silicon chips. It manufactures precision electromagnets, ion beam physics hardware and high vacuum equipment used in the semi conductor ion implant industry, laboratory research and particle accelerators.

26 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

An electromagnet consists of a coil of wire wound around an iron core, through which an electrical current is passed to create a powerful magnet. Ion beams are streams of charged particles that are focused by an ion implanter onto a target.

implanters. These implanters have several applications; some are used in medical and nuclear research. However, the majority goes into the production of silicon chips. The very same silicon chips which enable us to enjoy the everyday technologies we now take for granted.

The machinery BSL manufactures is exported to machine tool manufacturers who incorporate the components into the manufacture of ion

For decades BSL has been a leader in the ion implanter manufacturing industry, supporting 80 percent of silicon chip makers worldwide.

Managing director Bill Buckley describes his company as a maker of big magnets for the semi conductor industries and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electromagnets to ion implantation manufacturers.

Ion implantation is a key process in wafer fabrication plants that produce silicon chips for computers, television screens, communications equipment, automobiles and other appliances.

of technology

Initiatives | Buckley’s Systems Limited (BSL)

place,” Buckley says. The ion beam implanter is used to alter the near surface properties of semi-conductor materials by dosing them with conductive ions to a certain depth.

Typical machines used in the manufacture of electronic devices use beam energies from 2KeV (thousand electron volts) up to 2MeV (mega electron volts). This energy accelerates the ion beam up to about 6000 metres/second.

An analysing magnet, one of the components BSL manufacture, is integrated into the above process. Positioned along the beam path (between the source and the process chamber), it filters stray ions from the beam while allowing other ions that are needed to enter the process chamber.

The magnet includes multiple magnet pole pieces and as the ions travel through this magnetic field, the field serves to move the particles into a circular path.

BSL creates and manufactures the machinery which allows silicon wafers to have ions implanted in them, enabling them to become a semi conductor. This chip is then integrated into many end products.

some of BSL products,” Buckley says. If any one word was going to be applied to everything BSL does — it would be precision. The processes the machinery carries out require accuracy in its absolute form.

Around 400 tonnes of machinery each month is shipped out of the engineering workshop, heading mainly to the United States and Japan. Eventually this component ends up in the fabrication shops of the major silicon chip makers all over the world.

Silicon is naturally a non-conductor, but for computer chips to function they require semiconductive properties. The BSL ion implanters uniformly embed conductive ions into a wafer to a certain depth, changing the wafer from a non-conductor to a semi-conductor.

“Nearly every silicon chip in the world has most likely been produced with the assistance of

Each impregnated wafer is broken into pieces, each 3mm square; hence the name chips.

This is where the precision comes in. The ion beams are accurate to within one millionth of a centimetre.

For example, ion implanters can draw 200 lines, with a gap between each, and still not cover the width of a human hair.

“The beam travels up to 0.2 times the speed of light and has to stop at exactly the right

The ion implanter requires a high vacuum system to be able to generate plasma (a fourth state of matter which is not a solid, liquid or gas) — here the electrons are pulled free from the atoms and can move independently.

This plasma transports the ion beam from the ion source through the analysing magnet to the process chamber.

Feature continues on next page >>

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Initiatives | Buckley’s Systems Limited (BSL) To understand the complexity involved in the design of this machine to meet the requirements of wafer manufacturers, Buckley explains the task of the BSL magnets.

“We control the beam to spread the ions very uniformly over the full crystal wafer, which might be up to 300mm in diameter, at a very controlled speed — which when it hits the wafer it imbeds the ion into a precise depth, within a nanometer. Therefore, you have to have the particles in the beam going a precise speed of about 6000 metres per second so we have to be within a thousandth of that so the ion stops at exactly the right depth.

“It’s got to be one part per million or something, and the beam has to go into the silicon at dead right angles to the wafer, so it has to go in within an angstrom of a degree. Our machines control all that. They control the speed and the purity of the beam that has to be 100 percent pure. So we’ve got to make sure we’ve got it

pure, and we’ve got to make sure its going at the right speed and the right angle and the right uniformity.”

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While BSL has been pioneers in the above process, the company remains at the forefront of research and development in this field, with customers coming to them wanting the processes behind their ideas made a reality.

Buckley and his team are currently well advanced on a project to create better processes for capturing and utilising solar energy. The pilot system is being built and when operational it will make enough energy within the plant to produce 100mW; able to power a large proportion of a city the size of Auckland.

Other works centres on enabling the manufacturer of more advance high definition television screens and the next model of computer we will see on the market in around five years time.

“Our customers come to us and tell us they want a machine that runs faster or they want it two times the size or to carry heavier ions. We try to figure out how to make it happen for them.

Buckley says in the beginning years this genre of machinery was just coming into its own.

“I took a whole new stand on our machinery.

In the days when we started everything was done mostly by scientists, so the finished product didn’t look very good. So we tidied it up

and made it into an engineering masterpiece and they started hanging other product on the side of it. So the machinery became a lot more universal and a lot more practical from what others had been doing in the past.”

From this, the formidable BSL reputation was created. “I got a really good name for thinking ahead and being able to make a product that would work properly, not just meeting the needs of the scientists.”

Today Buckley talks of the lean business he operates. The end customer funds the majority of research and development. “Doing it this way keeps our final price low. To get one of these machines up and running is expensive – I don’t think anyone has had an ion implanter up and running for under $30 million. So this is far too big for somebody like us to finance ourselves, so we do it as a joint venture.”

Buckley says adopting this model, which is different from everyone else, has been a large contributor to the company’s success. “It’s no good doing what anyone can do,” he says of the innovation the company continues to deliver. “You have to go after the stuff that is too complicated for the average engineer.”

Working alongside the design and development teams of its major customers enables BSL to keep in touch with trends and future requirements. The specific knowledge and experience the company has formed in ion implantation, which is the most technical aspect of the chip industry, means there are few others who understand the process as well as his team.

The close relationship with its customers means the company continues to “get inside” new technological advances.

“For a new entrant to be serious opposition, it would cost them a lot of money. What I can do for $1 million would take them $10 million.”

While Buckley has received criticism from customers for being geographically so far removed from them, he attributes a lot of his success to being in New Zealand. “It disciplines you into putting quality first. You don’t want to fly out 130 tonnes of machine and then have to fly it back to fix it.”

A key competitive factor identified by Buckley is the ability to sell a complete, fully tested product, whereas he believes competitors are only in a position to sell individual components.

During the years relationships have been formed with internationally recognised physicist consultants, including a long standing one with noted physicist Dr Hilton Glavish, to aid in the design of components. Traditional job-shop flexibility and multi disciplinary capability, combined with highly automated production processes, has also contributed to BSL’s reputation as a world class innovator.

BSL has enjoyed huge support from vital suppliers as the semi conductor industry is a cyclical industry and has had its ups and downs during the years. A very strong and loyal team of experts in their fields working at BSL has meant the company continues to prosper and do New Zealand exporters proud.

Thanks to innovation, quality and precision and a strong team , BSL is a world leader. Simply put, Buckley says “I think we are building them faster and more efficiently than anyone else.”

Buckley Systems Limited 9 Bowden Road Mt Wellington Auckland T (09) 573 2200 E buckley E info@buckleysystems.com www.buckleysystems.com — Advertising Feature

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28 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

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Initiatives | Q Theatre

Project takes centre stage A theatre is a time portal for

characters of the past, present and future to be heard.

As an outlet for the imagination, the theatre is a place for entertainment and for the culturally curious to congregate and have their eyes, minds and spirits enlightened by artistic experimentation.

And while attending the theatre is a traditional and classical custom of yesteryear, its role in entertaining has proven immortal and the concept of performing arts has lent itself to contemporary society.

As an entertainment rich in cultural energy, the preservation, upkeep and establishment of the theatrical environments in which performing arts take place is essential.

And, in recognition of this fact, a theatre that will embody and embrace diversity and multiculturalism, is being brought to life.

Feature continues on next page >>

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Initiatives | Q Theatre

Located in metropolitan Auckland, beside the Town Hall and the Basement and Classic Theatres, Q Theatre, named for its Queen Street location, will inhabit a precinct already renowned for its connection to culture and performing arts.

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Its presence will enable artistic communication through spirited and contemporary dance, theatre and performance. Q Theatre will represent a step forward for professional performing arts.

An idea is born In 1996 the innovative Auckland based Watershed theatre did not have its lease renewed. While the decision to not extend the life of this home of eclectic art and expression represented a cultural loss to the performing arts sector; it also presented an opportunity to establish new artistic infrastructure.

“It was at this time that actors and people passionate about performing arts developed a relationship with the Auckland City Council to lobby for a new project,” Q Theatre general manager Susanne Ritzenhoff explains.

The proposal for a new theatre originated from the New Theatre initiative (NTi) — an industry led incorporated society that was established to secure a new and flexible performance venue in the heart of Auckland.

This organisation is comprised of diverse and creative personalities that have been attracted to the evolution of this new venue.

Artists and practitioners, champions, organisations, volunteers and supporters have all collaborated to realise this vision. “It has been fantastic to work with a consultancy team with such civic spirit, that has been so engaged in the purpose and has understood the meaning of it,” Ritzenhoff says.

The premise for the Q Theatre project has been based on local and international best practise and independent audits have certified its cultural validity in the Auckland market. “The Auckland City Council had great foresight with this project and also conducted its own venue studies to ensure the theatre will flourish in the city.”

A work of art Located in the central business district, the Q Theatre on Queen Street is under construction following the demolition of an existing council garage on this site. The No Deposit Piano building on this land will be retained however, to form the Q Theatre’s foyer and studio space, which will accommodate 120 people.

The international standard, performing arts auditorium within the Q Theatre, will feature flexi-seating for between 350 to 460 attendees.

To date, the capital and building assets of the NTi have been transferred to Q Theatre Trust and Q Theatre Limited. The Auckland City Council has invested $9.2 million in capital funds, as well as committing to the establishment of an operational subsidiary once the venue opens.

Significant financial support has also been offered from the ASB Community Trust and the Lottery Grants Board, as well as from individuals and private trusts. A long-term peppercorn lease agreement has been established for the use of the site’s land and buildings. As a result of internal and external support, the target of $21 million for Q Theatre has been realised.

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Initiatives | Q Theatre

With the resource consent granted, construction commenced in late 2009, with concrete foundations for the Q Theatre being poured in June 2010, after the erection of a tower crane on site. Also in April, a site and tour breakfast was held and iconic New Zealand actors Craig Hall, Sara Wiseman and Sophie Henderson were in attendance, as well as Q Theatre team members and NTi executives.

In recognition of her dedication to the development of this theatre, the Q Theatre development manager, Lisa Bates, was awarded the 2010 Fundraising Institute of New Zealand’s ‘Most Promising New Fundraiser Award,’ in May 2010.

A creative clubhouse As a multi-disciplinary performing arts establishment, the Q Theatre will be an experimental playground for performing arts practitioners to refine their trade, whether it be dancing or acting.

To mark the beginning of what can only be described as a creative journey and a future full of artistic opportunity, the Q Theatre held a remarkable event on Saturday June 19, 2010.

Thirty Auckland based performing arts students were invited by Q Theatre to participate in an all day workshop led by talented performers from the youth-focused Massive Theatre Company.

Inspiring students to draw on their own lives and creative aspirations, the event was in celebration of new networking, technique refining and performance opportunities available to young artists through the establishment of Q Theatre. As part of this celebration, students were invited to partake in a ‘The Part We Play’ time capsule initiative. Participants were given the opportunity to impart their experiences, hopes, messages and stories in a time capsule, which has been embedded in the walls of the Q Theatre during its construction. In 10 years time, to commemorate the anniversary of Q Theatre, this time capsule will be reopened.

Of the creative and spiritual personality being injected into the aesthetics and conceptual foundations of Q Theatre, Ritzenhoff says the objective behind the establishment is to fulfil a market niche. “The Q Theatre will fill a big gap in the Auckland market. While we have the Aotea and Civic Centres, there are not many theatres in this seating range. If you look around the world, smaller theatres like this nourish the performing arts culture and give support to it.”

“Q Theatre will be a welcoming space. It’s been driven by a lot of passion and the industry can’t wait for it to open. The look is spirited, vibrant and accessible.”

The Q Theatre Trust has also worked with a Maori reference group to commission artwork by iconic New Zealand artist, Lisa Reihana. “When people go into the Q Theatre, it will move their human spirit. We want to be open to, and welcoming of, the diverse demographic of Auckland,” Ritzenhoff explains.

Of the civic and voluntary commitment offered towards the establishment of Q Theatre, Ritzenhoff says, “A big part of this project has

been the collaborative approach and the open working relationships that have been formed.”

Visitors will be able to experience Q Theatre for themselves, with the completion of the niche venue scheduled for late 2011.

Q Theatre PO Box 7263 Wellesley Street Auckland 1141 T (09) 309 8324 F (09) 302 5272 E susanne@qtheatre.co.nz www.qtheatre.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Unlike other venues which are connected to commercial enterprises, Q Theatre will be dedicated exclusively to performing arts.

“Other theatres of course represent important infrastructure, but we are providing something quite unique. A hub, a home; like a clubhouse for the creative industry.

Proud to support the Q Theatre Trust and Naylor Love as structural package contractor on the Q Theatre

26 Patey Street, Newmarket | PO Box 9848, Newmarket | AUCKLAND 1149 PH (09) 531 5002 | FAX (09) 520 7336 | enquiries@clearwaterconstruction.co.nz www.clearwaterconstruction.co.nz Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 31

Focus | Auckland Art Gallery

Creating

32 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

landmark

rtwork

Focus | Auckland Art Gallery

Timeline

The ability art has to romance, excite and inspire the imagination of young and old alike, makes it a staple in any cultural diet.

Contemporary shapes, dreamy destinations and whimsical, historical and classical characters inhabiting four walled frames, share their mystical stories; stimulating the eyes, minds and cultural spirits of those who encounter them.

As a home to such aesthetic stories of expression, the Auckland Art Gallery is currently the recipient of a major makeover through a heritage restoration.

Set to acquire international status through this transformation, the Auckland Art Gallery will become New Zealand’s largest home of visual arts.

Objectives

March 2008 — Central government commits $30 million to the project August 2008 — Environment court grants interim consents September 2008 — Construction begins November 2008 — Demolition of 1971 Edmiston wing and 1984 services addition, revealing the Wellesley and Kitchener wings and East Gallery May 2009 — Basement completed August 2009 — Final consents granted and ground level completed November 2009 — Mezzazine level completed December 2009 — First level completed February 2010 — Second level completed March 2010 — Roof completed Early 2011 — Building construction will be completed Mid 2011 — The gallery will open to the public.

A cultural offering The Auckland Art Gallery development is supported by a three-way professional partnership between central government, Auckland City Council and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation, which was established in 2005 as an independent charitable trust As a cultural offering to residents of Auckland city, New Zealanders and Aotearoa-bound tourists, the Auckland Art Gallery will become a synthesis of contemporary and neo-classical style though strengthening, expansion and modernisation developments.

When the preliminary design for the remodelled gallery was unveiled at a July 2005 function hosted by the then Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard, it was the first step towards the renovation of this historical site.

The design outlined earthquake-proofing and a heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main art gallery building.

Contemporary installations and a carefully balanced addition were also planned to enhance the display space area by at least 50 percent.

Before this vision could be realised, the Auckland Art Gallery faced the challenge of a long campaign through the environment court, to address various issues raised by external parties.

But through the commitment of all constituent parties to find solutions, the resolution of these issues was achieved, with the final resource consent granted in August 2009.

“We feel vindicated that we have met the courts requirements and the only major change was the lowering of the roof over one gallery, which does not overly impact the design or scale of the gallery,” Auckland Art Gallery

 Create a significant new exhibition area to complement the character and function of the existing heritage galleries while increasing existing exhibition space  Create display space with international standard light, acoustic and environmental features  Establish a cultural presence  Provide a landmark building that states its function  Provide a social venue for both art viewing and meeting  Meet long-term operational needs of the gallery  Provide a design that balances controlled capital costs and cost-efficient operating costs  Provide revenue generation facilities without compromising the function of the gallery.

director Chris Saines says. “Every other thing we have sought to do, we have done.”

A major infrastructural transformation, the Auckland Art Gallery development has been undertaken within strict construction parameters. Throughout the building process, Hawkins Construction has worked to minimise disruption to neighbouring businesses and pedestrians. With the site contained by hoardings, Kitchener Street was changed to one lane of traffic outside the gallery, to establish a loading zone for construction vehicles.

An artistic footprint As a cohesive balance between art and architecture, Saines says the aesthetic changes intended for the Auckland Art Gallery have been created to excite vistors’ imaginations. “This will be a place for art on a scale not experienced in New Zealand previously.

“The artwork on show at the gallery will tell stories that tourists, both national and inbound, will find very compelling. The renovation of this landmark will bring Aucklanders into the central business district and as one of Auckland’s mustsee destinations, the gallery will have economic spin-offs because, as we know, visitors do not just spend in their core destination, but also in the areas around it.”

be created upon completion of this feature, Saines adds, “The craftsmen have gone beyond anything we could have imagined. When we saw the roof beginning to be rendered with the kauri pods in place, it was incredibly beautiful.”

As a structure representative of great Western architecture, the Auckland Art Gallery will also have a strong Maori cultural feel. The gallery has commissioned a set of designs from contemporary artists to infuse a Maori dimension and iconic artist, Fred Graham will also be carving a unique design into limestone in the northern threshold space.

“This will be a world class art museum and the largest building in New Zealand dedicated to visual art exhibitions,” Saines says with pride.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki PO Box 5449 Auckland T (09) 307 7700 F (09) 302 1096 E kateorgias@aucklandcitycouncil.co.nz www.aucklandartgallery.govt.nz Feature continues on next page >>

Calling the gallery a “cultural meeting place”, Saines says the planned contemporary installations will allow the gallery’s 14,500 strong visual collection to be available for public viewing on a rotational basis. The transference of onsite storage to an offsite location will also facilitate the increase in collection display space.

The subtle yet sophisticated features for the new gallery, are also juxtaposed by major aesthetic embellishments, including large glass panels imported from overseas to create a feeling of transparency within the gallery.

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“We are trying to connect this gallery and the art that inhabits it, with the world from which it is derived,” Saines explains of the design.

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“I think the cornerstone design element really is the roof canopy, which begins over the forecourt,” he adds. “The complex geometry and organic nature of the new roof canopy, echoes the adjacent tree canopy, particularly that of the pohutakawa in Albert Park.” Of the overwhelming aesthetic effect that will

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“ A Division of Spectrum Architectural Metals Ltd” Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 33

Focus | Auckland Art Gallery Hawkins Construction Art is the marriage of creativity and tactile ingenuity. Given that its validity within society has no expiration date, art needs to be housed in accommodation that affords it longevity; protection against the elements that can drain these visionary expressions of their life and vibrancy. And not only that, but an environment in which these visual stories, brought to life through the application of colour to canvas, can be seen and heard.

Key features

In recognition of this fact, Toi o Tamaki — the Auckland Art Gallery, is undergoing a $121 million aesthetic and structural transformation, to enhance and grow the existing premises.

 Seismic strengthening and heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main building  A range of new room layouts and increased ceiling height elevations  Glazed surfaces to introduce controlled natural light into the gallery  Restoration of the 1916 East Gallery  Three distinct architectural interiors  Special facilities for families  A new education classroom, expanded auditorium, larger research library  Inclusion of a ceremonial entrance  Expanded gallery shop and cafe.

Set to become New Zealand’s pre-eminent public art gallery, this heritage building will become a hybrid of historical and contemporary character and Hawkins Construction Limited is facilitating this creative metamorphosis.

Smart ideas As a 100 percent New Zealand owned company, Hawkins Construction is part of the McConnell Group, one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned construction, property and infrastructure groups. In New Zealand, Hawkins Construction is recognised for its best international construction practises, safety, quality, innovative and rewarding project solutions and core professional standards, ethics and integrity.

A bespoke building

The Auckland Art Gallery development was competitively tendered by the Auckland City Council in 2007. Hawkins Construction applied for this opportunity, offering its reputable key assets as testament to its suitability for the job. The company was successful in the tender process and work commenced on site in September 2008.

Despite having to navigate preliminary challenges associated with Environment Court rulings, resource consents, site constraints and working within, around and below Heritage buildings, the Hawkins Construction team, along with the wider project team, has remained committed to the project, working hard to realise both the aesthetic and structural vision as well as the completion date of mid 2011.

“Our key attributes relate to safety, quality, staff and a track record for delivering the client best value and project certainty. But as a company, our assets are also our ability to manage risks, look at things differently and provide innovative solutions,” project manager Grant Thomas says.

With a grounding on previous Auckland projects including Britomart Station and more recently, the Auckland Museum redevelopment, Thomas is spearheading the project with the application of the knowledge and skill he has accrued throughout his professional career.

Working as part of a nucleus team of 25 Hawkins staff on the Auckland Art Gallery development, Thomas says the wealth of experience these employees have earned across the building spectrum, has provided a strong professional platform for the development.

“The wider project team has taken ownership of the Auckland Art Gallery development and

• Doka formwork and construction screens • False work / propping • Event seating and staging

• Mast climbers • Rubbish chutes • Engineering design and manufacture • All types of scaffolding

Referring to the development as “bespoke” due to its made-to-measure specifications, Thomas says that key elements of the design are oneoffs. “For example, there are 15 different facade types we are delivering to the client on the basis of a design and build contract.

The East Gallery, in the process of being restored to its former glory

its successful delivery. We all understand that with a unique project like this, there will be numerous challenges along the way.”

With a combined workforce of approximately 150 subcontractors currently on the site under Hawkins Construction management and working with the team, Thomas says his job is to oversee the successful delivery of the construction.

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“We have selected our key subcontractors for the project, based on their overall attributes, including, safety, quality, track record and resource availability,” he explains.

“At Hawkins, we know individuals don’t build jobs, teams do. And in a team, everyone will have their own strengths to offer and it is about building on these.”

“Working with our specialist contractors, our job has been to take the intent by designers and make this happen.”

The design aspirations have required Hawkins to procure significant quantities of kauri for the ceiling, German Jura stone for exterior walls, Portuguese Moleanos stone for interior walls, American White Oak for flooring and specialised glass from Europe, American and Asia.

The design is also delivering world class service systems, carefully integrated into the building, which will deliver the specific parameters required for the art works. “This is a job that is all about the details,” Thomas says.

Of the Auckland Art Gallery’s accessible presence, Thomas says the Hawkins Construction and wider subcontractor team will appreciate the opportunity to reflect on their participation in this project in years to come. “With the vast majority of projects, workers cannot go back to them upon completion. However with this job, the building will be open to the public, which means our staff can take great pride in bringing their families to see their work.

“The Auckland Art Gallery development is a fantastic asset to Auckland and New Zealand and we are proud to be associated with it.”

Hawkins Construction Limited Hawkins House Level 2, 70 Stanley St PO Box 93214 Parnell 1151 Auckland T (09) 918 8100 F (09) 918 8140 E head.office@hawkins.co.nz www.hawkins.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Goods and Services | Kumeu Plumbing providing pumping, drainage and roofing needs for the rural community.

The shop specialises in water pumps, filtration, greywater recycling, solar water heating and hot water heat pumps. There’s a large showroom designated to support swimming pool owners.

The shop stocks pool chemicals and also runs a water testing service for pool owners. Home drinking water filtration is also available.

The day Darryl McDonald finished his plumbing apprenticeship in 1974, he decided he wanted to work for himself.

With his wife Lynley doing the administration and accounts and Darryl as the only plumber, the business was originally a small affair. But 37 years later Kumeu Plumbing is going strong

with 16 staff and diversification into retailing water system parts and pool equipment.

Like most traditional plumbing businesses, McDonald started off doing work for residential and commercial buildings in the area. Soon the company began undertaking work for a range of local businesses including factories, the rural agricultural community, a timber treatment plant and vineyards. Kumeu Plumbing services the greater Auckland area, but has also worked on

projects as far south as Coromandel and north to the Bay of Islands. With its fully staffed office and a 24/7 call-out service, a comprehensive service is guaranteed. “We have the ability to respond very quickly because of our numbers,” McDonald says.

With son Marcus as the service and contracts manager, in charge of running the plumbing and roofing side of the business, Darryl focuses on the retail service centre he started up in 2002,

Kumeu Plumbing has trained 39 apprentices over the years, with two currently in training.

McDonald says passing on both management and trade skills is important to him. Many past apprentices are now running their own successful businesses. “Someone gave me an opportunity many years ago which is something I’ve never forgotten. We believe in providing opportunities for young people coming along.”

Kumeu Plumbing Ltd 156 Main Road Kumeu, Auckland 0841 T (09) 412 9108 F (09) 412 7555 E darryl@kpl.co.nz www.kpl.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Retail | Neil Diamonds and Jewellery

Rock solid The word diamond is derived from the ancient Greek adámas, meaning unbreakable. A diamond is a jewel of desire, a symbol of commitment.

Creative artisan, specialist jeweller and trained goldsmith Louis Wildhaber is adept at transforming the precious stone into life-long keepsakes with more than 30 years of bringing jewellery visions to life.

Wildhaber paved the way for a career in professional jewellery making with an apprenticeship in Switzerland in the 1970s.

Equipped with specialist skills, he then ventured to the land of the long white cloud to establish a jewellery exporting business. Today, after a fortuitous opportunity presented itself, Wildhaber is the creative magic behind an

including Bucherer and Christ Uhren + Schmuck in Switzerland, Louis Wildhaber has been the recipient of multiple awards acknowledging his skill and craftsmanship.

Auckland-based treasure trove, Neil Diamonds and Jewellery, which specialises in white gold, platinum and diamonds.

Wildhaber’s artistic imagination and tactile ingenuity creates bespoke classic and contemporary designs, as well as bringing new life to vintage heirlooms and estate pieces with a cleaning, polishing and restoration service.

Offering a free one-hour diamond consultation, Wildhaber’s service is a synthesis of quality and affordability. His innovative designs are handcrafted at the shop. Once the preliminary concept is completed, a wax model is made and work continues until the client’s design vision has been realised, meaning purchases can be made with confidence.

With pieces sold into Japan, Sydney, New York, Europe and to international jewellers

He won the New Zealand Walker and Hall Award for design and was commissioned to create and manufacture a selection of opal and diamond jewellery for the Sydney Olympics.

With the ability to source any precious stone from around the world, Wildhaber is able to introduce an international accent to his locally made pieces and enjoys working with tanzanite, opals, black pearl and of course diamonds.

“This is where I feel I have a competitive edge in marketing,” he says. “I really try to use my experience to give people what they want at an affordable price.”

Neil Diamonds and Jewellery 2B Gibraltar Crescent Parnell Auckland 1052 T 0800 MY RING E enquiries@neildiamonds.co.nz www.neildiamonds.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Experience a taste of our fine jewellery design, inspired by Europe and the rest of the world. Come in and let our team tailor you your dream engagement ring or other piece, carefully designed to suit your budget.

Visit www.neildiamonds.co.nz to view a range of designs and styles

2B Gibraltar Cres, Parnell • P/F: (09) 303 2915 • E: neildiamonds@xtra.co.nz Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 35

Property and Consruction | Cooper and Company

Britomart brings

Like many historic buildings in New Zealand, the heritage buildings that make up the Britomart precinct could have been put in the too-hard basket and left to rot — unable to be torn down because they were heritage protected, but unable to be restored without a forward thinking company and cash injection behind them.

Livefirm Construction Ltd is proud to be associated with Hawkins for all Concrete and Carpentry work for the development of the East Building

Fortunately for this part of the CBD, the Auckland City Council decided to buy the buildings in the Britomart area and sold the tender to restore and develop it to Cooper and Company in 2004.

The Britomart project is the transformation of 5.8 hectare of heritage buildings and spaces into a vibrant precinct in the heart of Auckland’s CBD. Cooper and Company has restored six heritage buildings so far, with two currently under construction and will continue to restore the following nine over the next few years.

Seven new buildings are also being built in line with the master plan for Britomart, which will see heritage and state-of-the-art ‘green’ buildings side by side throughout the precinct.

In 1912, 10,000 Aucklanders gathered for the opening of the Central Post Office, built soon after wireless radio was established to provide contact with ships at sea.

The importance of the post office — socially, politically and physically — lasted up until the 1970s. But in 1992 it closed and along with the surrounding buildings languished and decayed, becoming populated mostly by pigeons.

“The shops here are unique and largely owner operated. We have a number of cafés, restaurants and bars throughout the precinct with some found down the little lanes. Many people liken it to Melbourne.”

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36 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

Other key buildings include the transformation of an 1908 brick warehouse building, now called the Kiwi Tavern, into a café called BikeCentral where cycling commuters can securely park their bikes, have a shower and a cup of coffee before work. Quirky colonial history is rife in this area — one such story is the demise of the owner of the Kiwi tavern in the 1930s, who was killed by a lion while game hunting in modern day Zimbabwe.

Cooper and Company marking manager Sarah Hull says Auckland deserves to have something special created in this area and the uniqueness of the shops in the Britomart precinct is what makes it so different and such an icon of the city.

Something old

B&W Livefirm Construction Ltd is one of the few preferred installer recommended

by James Hardies for their linear weatherboard and popular Titan Board system.

Cooper and Company took over in 2004. They renovated the derelict post office building, which included protecting and restoring the mosaic tiled floor and glazed wall tiles. On completion it was leased as commercial space and has been thriving ever since.

Property and Consruction | Cooper and Company

market

farmers’

Events Britomart isn’t just a place for shopping and working — it has become an events hub for the city.

Every Saturday, the City Farmers’ Market in the centre of the Britomart precinct brings in a bounty of regional produce. Fresh, high-quality fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, olives and olive oils, condiments, coffee, artisan breads, cheese and much more is available.

Other fun events include regular free open air movies, art auctions, the annual Auckland heritage festival and streetball, a football competition between two teams of two played on asphalt.

The Union Fish Building is developing a reputation for hosting the hippest events.

Something new The Britomart project involves not only the restoration of the heritage buildings, but the construction of new ones, carefully designed to enhance the area. One of these is the new Oriental building, which when it opens next April will include a Les Mills gym.

With 4500 people projected to be working in the precinct by mid-2011, a significant car parking facility has always been an essential part of the master plan for Britomart. The purchase of the adjacent Oriental Market site in 2004 by Cooper and Company was a solution that has enabled parking to be largely kept out of the heritage precinct itself.

A majority of workers and visitors to the precinct are expected to make use of the multiple public transport options — including bus, rail and ferry — available to them at the Britomart transport hub.

Another new construction will be the East Complex, also timed to open in April 2011. The ground floor will be retail space and the upper levels will be commercial offices which will enjoy a beautiful view of Waitemata Harbour.

While finding tenants is a problem in the CBD, the East Complex has already secured leases

laneways

history alive

The 10th annual New Zealand Music Month was launched with a free live gig there in May, hosted by 95bFM. Sarin Moddle, marketing co-ordinator,

for all of its commercial space — a mark of how popular and sought after Britomart is.

Green accreditation Both the East building and the Oriental building have won the NZ Green Building Council’s 5 Green Star — Office Design ratings as part of the Britomart’s quest to be environmentally friendly.

Charter House, which was restored as part of the Britomart Project, is New Zealand’s only heritage building to have achieved Green Star NZ certification. “Following the Green Star programme is just part of Cooper and Company’s wider commitment to environmental best practice,” she says. “We have a robust environmental policy that is reflected in everything we do throughout the Britomart precinct.”

Cooper & Company PO Box 1150 Shortland Street Auckland 1140 T (09) 914 8431 E info@cooperandcompany.org www.cooperandcompany.org

says Britomart is a vibrant place.

“Britomart provides an awesome multi-venue location in the middle of the city. We’ve really enjoyed working with Britomart to host both last year’s bStreet event and this year’s Laneways festival.”

The high ceiling and feature brick walls of the Union Fish building, originally a 1900s importing business, has created the perfect atmosphere for a number of events. Other than music concerts, product launches, gala dinners and private functions have also been held in this ground floor room. Its ‘blank canvas’ décor and central location makes it perfect for a range of events.

Britomart is the perfect place for Aucklanders to shop, work and play.

And with more of the heritage buildings being restored and the construction of five more modern buildings planned for the near future, this place is only going to get better.

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Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 37

Property and Construction | Pukenui Properties

Breathing new life into Half Moon Bay Whether it’s giving a well-loved but under-developed suburb a face-lift, or starting a new commercial area from scratch, Pukenui Properties will tackle the task with professionalism and passion.

Pukenui Properties — started by Patrick Ward and Keith Wester in 2005 — combines 50 years in the building industry.

The partnership incorporates complimentary skills of quantity surveying, project management, development management and building in commercial, industrial and residential markets. Despite only being five years old, Pukenui Properties has worked on numerous exciting and innovative projects.

One of these is the Half Moon Bay Marina commercial zone redevelopment in the eastern suburbs of Auckland. The original retail and commercial centre had a dated 1970s look, with a very limited offering to the local community, but a redevelopment of this site is well under way.

Two new buildings have been built and a third is currently under design development, with construction to commence in October.

The new centre has been designed to maximise the superb view and includes a medical centre, pharmacy, hair dresser, daycare centre, real estate company, gymnasium, day spa, boat brokerage and boat chandlery.

The third building will house a small supermarket facing the main road with restaurants and a café overlooking the marina.

Pukenui Properties also does consultancy work such as feasibility studies, development management and design build projects.

“We believe ‘bigger is not necessarily better’ and we have no aspirations of seeing our name on a tower crane.

Co-owner Patrick Ward says the project has made the area modern and dynamic. “The buildings are breathing new life into the area.

There’s a great tenant mix and the commercial hub caters for the wider community.”

“We are a multi-faceted company and we remain very flexible — which is important in this market. We’ve got two years worth of work ahead of us, with projects in Auckland, Tauranga and Papamoa which is great. It’s challenging but we enjoy it,” Ward says.

“Like any construction company, we are only as good as our design team and our sub-contractors and we have been fortunate to have developed strong relationships with these companies to date and we look forward to working with them all in the future.”

Ward and Wester made a strategic decision to only undertake projects where they take a hands-on role in each project. This ensures they maintain excellent communication with their clients and they can ensure all commercial decisions are dealt with in a timely and professional manner.

Pukenui Properties PO Box 29236 Auckland T (09) 537 1949 F (09) 625 9271

Pukenui Properties is also working in conjunction with a daycare company, building centres that meet strict Ministry of Education requirements to make safe spaces for young children to learn and play. Other projects under way include a mixed use commercial development on the North Shore and a high-end residential development in Epsom.

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supply our clients with a complete turnkey operation from initial bulk and location schematics to final completion of the project.

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Auckland Civil Limited

Residential Commerical & Industrial Installations Right People Right Approach Right Outcome 82 Meadowbank Road | Auckland 1742 P. 021 504 420 | F. 09 521 8320 E. gary@nstar.co.nz North Star Electrical are proud to support the Marina Foundation and Pukenui Properties with the re-development of the Half Moon Bay Marina.

75 Ellice Road, Glenfield, North Shore City T: 09 444 1901 • F: 09 444 1310 • E: brad@aucklandcivil.co.nz • W: www.aucklandcivil.co.nz Proud to be associated with the Half Moon Bay Redevelopment (Pukenui Properties)

38 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

Property and Construction | Topcoat Specialist Coatings

Smooth operator Topcoat completed repair work on the Clevedon Kawakawa Bridge earlier this year Left), carried out extensive coating work at Lion Breweries in East Tamaki (right), and successfully completed membrane waterproofing on 13,500 square metres of carparking at Westfield St Lukes Carpark (below)

Topcoat Specialist Coatings prides itself on offering ‘solutions for a situation’ in industries as diverse as a brewery, cinema carpark, and water treatment plant.

Established in 1993, Topcoat is a recognised leader in the application of applied resin coatings and toppings, waterproofing systems and concrete repair solutions. Today, the Auckland-based company is expanding its floor coating services through advances in technology, backed up by the company’s wealth of experience and knowledge.

Topcoat can design a unique range of options to suit any customer’s requirements — offering a choice of solutions to suit any environment.

Managing director Peter Shepherd says the company has customers across a wide range of industries, including food and beverage manufacturing, automotive, retail, engineering and heavy industry such as steel mills.

Its core business is industrial floor coatings, with a number of options available, including epoxy paint systems, non-slip safety floors, resin aggregate toppings, urethane finishes, rapid methyl methacrylate resin coatings, polyurethane concrete and dust proofing and concrete hardening sealers.

East Tamaki, where extensive coating services were undertaken.

Topcoat offers a range of architectural or decorative finishes suited to the retail and commercial sector, as well as polished concrete that incorporates grinding to expose aggregate.

Swimming pool maintenance and coating refurbishment is another area of expertise, along with water and fireproofing solutions for any environment. Last year Topcoat successfully completed the membrane waterproofing application at Westfield St Lukes Carpark Level 3, to an area of 13,500 square metres.

Concrete repair technology Shepherd says Topcoat provides a range of concrete repair solutions for problems including delaminated concrete, fractured expansion joints, stress cracks, stained pitted concrete and tilt slab repairs and skimming.

An area that is new for the company is the lifting of concrete slabs and ground stabilisation by resin injection. “If you’ve got a concrete floor in a warehouse and the joints are all breaking up it is likely there has been subsidence of the ground below the floor and the floor starts to rock,” Shepherd says.

Topcoat can provide non-slip options incorporated into its coatings — which are suitable for wet areas and ramps — or as a clear non-slip over non-porous surfaces such as tiles.

This causes the joints to progressively break up and the slabs to crack. This subsequently can also transmit damage to forklift wheels, direct drive motors and other components. “We drill holes in the concrete and pump in an expansive resin grout to consolidate the ground, fill the void space and lift the concrete slab to level.”

A major project recently undertaken by the company was the new Lion Breweries site in

Topcoat uses a TAM International system, which is also used for waterproofing and leak sealing.

TAM International is a leader in specialist chemicals for waterproofing, leak sealing, repair and protection for the construction industry.

Topcoat has worked closely with Pacific Concrete Protection Ltd, the New Zealand distributor of the TAM product, to ensure its staff receive thorough training with the specialised equipment and TAM products.

“We’re starting to get involved with doing structural crack repairs on concrete bridges,” says Shepherd. Topcoat completed work on the Clevedon Kawakawa Bridge earlier this year.

This project involved 400 lineal metres of crack injection into hollow core beams utilising the TamRez 210 and 310 structural epoxy systems.

Solutions for the water industry Another rapidly advancing area of technology is in waste water and water treatment plants.

“We try to provide a solution for a situation. The Hawkes Bay Water Treatment Plant has a tank which they use to supply the local abattoir with fresh water,” Shepherd says. “A joint in the tank needs replacing but they only have 24 hours to

empty it and repair and fill it again. We’re using a TAM product and will empty the tank, remove the old sealant and use a new sealant, which cures by reaction with water. We install the sealant, which reacts with residual water in the substrate, expanding to form a permanent seal.

The tank can be filled and returned to service straight away — there’s no lengthy curing time.

It’s a hydrophilic flexible polyurethane grout.”

Shepherd says Topcoat is growing steadily and is working hard to develop its specialist coating preparation work for walls and floors.

“We’re always looking to be a leader in that field. Our success is due partly to our commitment to being a company that has values created around the customer and to the core values which are an integral part of our company culture.”

Topcoat Specialist Coatings Limited 33 Stonedon Drive East Tamaki, Auckland T (09) 274 9491 F (09) 274 9492 www.topcoat.co.nz — Advertising Feature

PROVIDERS OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE EXPERTISE TO “TOP” COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES

For further information contact New Zealand Distributors Pacific Concrete Protection Ltd phone 09 528 3426 or sales@pcp.co.nz

Contact Brian Martel F.C.I.I, ANZIIF (Snr Assoc), CIP 09 278 6264 brian.martel@jbinsurance.com

A division of Aon New Zealand

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 39

Property and Construction | Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding

Contemporary

cladding

Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding offers a product that is practical, stylish and contemporary, with customers able to select their colour and profile from the company’s well-designed website or in its new showroom.

Nu-Wall is an aluminium weatherboard system which has been designed and developed in New Zealand. With 12 different profiles, a wide range of powdercoat and anodised finishes to choose from, plus the option of either horizontal or vertical installation, Nu-Wall offers a creative opportunity unmatched by other cladding materials.

Director Dave Hopkinson says the NuWall product offers high durability and low maintenance and is suited to a range of applications, including domestic, commercial, industrial, retail, schools and rural.

The aluminium weatherboards are extremely durable and will outlast the life of a building, while the finishes applied to them retain their smart appearance for years with only minimal maintenance, even in coastal situations. Being fully recyclable, aluminium cladding is also a responsible choice for the environment. “The product is very versatile and offers a lot of creative freedom. If you want cladding that looks like painted timber weatherboards, but with less maintenance, you can have it.

However, if the design calls for something less traditional, then the Nu-Wall range can probably meet the requirement.”

Hopkinson believes Nu-Wall addresses a lot of contemporary issues to do with using sustainable high-durability building products, as well as many practical issues associated with home ownership.

“These days many people’s houses are two storey or three storey and it’s just not feasible for people to paint it themselves,” he says.

“People don’t want to spend their time painting their house and with Nu-Wall, they don’t have to. It’s a product for our time.”

New showroom and website Nu-Wall has recently moved to a new site in Great South Road, Penrose, which boasts a large new showroom.

“We consider Nu-Wall to be a superior alternative to other supposedly lowmaintenance cladding materials,” Hopkinson says. “Our objective is to raise the awareness of the product in the market — once people know about Nu-Wall it is easy for them to see why.”

Nu-Wall’s new showroom is already attracting increased attention from customers, who can clearly view the different cladding profiles available, alongside the wide range of colour options.

“Our sales are growing. As the market becomes educated and people are more aware of Nu-Wall and its features and benefits, we are seeing an increase in the rate of specification,” Hopkinson says.

Nexus Foams are proud to be suppliers of quality foam solutions to Nu-wall Aluminium Cladding.

Contact Nexus for your ultimate solution P. 09 274 9133 | 111A Kerwyn Ave, East Tamaki, Auckland

40 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

In addition to the new showroom, Nu-Wall has recently had a major revamp of its website, which offers customers a great way to view the company’s products.

An interactive tool on the website allows visitors to view the different profiles on an image of a house, with the ability to switch between horizontal and vertical cladding and select from a sample colour range.

“Before we had the new website we had people wanting us to send them samples. Now they’re largely able to make a decision straight from the website. They can then come in here and look at the panels in the showroom or can go out and look at some finished projects,” Hopkinson says.

“People can make a lot of progress in their decision making just by sitting in their chair at home looking at our website.”

Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding Limited 750B Great South Road Penrose, Auckland T (09) 582 0040 F (09) 579 5649 www.aluminium.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Property and Construction | George Grant Engineering

High profile projects with input from George Grant Engineering include the Newmarket Train Station redevelopment, Aotea Square canopies (above), Mt Eden Prison redevelopment and the Novotel at Auckland Airport (below).

Complete Structural engineers perform an unseen but integral role — designing support systems that enable buildings to stay upright.

With more than 20 years of experience George Grant Engineering has some of the country’s most renowned engineering projects under its toolbelt. Skilled at working with structural steel, the company also caters to the “out of the ordinary, not run-of-the-mill projects”, sales and estimating manager Iain Hobson says.

“With a capacity of four to five thousand tonnes of fabricated steel a month, we have our own specialist architectural metal works division which complements our main division of structural steel.

“We’re building a reputation for being able to not only do the standard industrial structure, but more unusual projects — the Aotea Square canopies (soon to be unveiled), the Achilles Point viewing platform and the 12 storey Novotel at Auckland Airport. These are unique projects and we’re proud to be entrusted to carry out these types of developments.”

The work encompasses a diverse range of clients; commercial and industrial through to key infrastructure for government agencies.

“They come to us because we provide a comprehensive service including drafting facilities for which we have one of the largest in-house drafting teams in New Zealand.

We have our own site installation and erection crews and we do all our own blasting and painting.”

project control One such project requiring the comprehensive services of George Grant Engineering was the Mt Eden Prison redevelopment. “We completed the full steel package from metalwork through to structure and erection. We secured that in an extremely tough economic climate, in very tight time scales, in demanding conditions and a secure environment for a particularly high profile project.

“All eyes were on us the whole time, yet we have always been able to deliver on promises.”

Accent on unusual High profile projects are nothing new to the engineering company which was recently involved with the Newmarket Train Station redevelopment. The $65 million upgrade includes a floating canopy which extends over the concourse and lower level canopies which create shelter over the platforms. “This was an extremely large infrastructure project which, in conjunction with the main contractor, we had to build in and around an operational train station, working 30-40 metres up in the air bringing steel in, around one of New Zealand’s busiest shopping precincts.

“Erecting these canopies was a major feat of coordination. It was a very unusual and successful project to be involved with.”

and the water level between them can be controlled to bring the boat within them to land level. “The idea is that people with big boats can drive in after a day of fishing and park the boat at the bottom of the garden.

“This network of canals and lock gates is the first of its size in Australasia. It was an exciting one-off job and I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

While steel faces competition against many other substrates, Hobson says over the lifespan of the product, steel is far superior. “There are infinite advantages to building with steel and for any industrial and commercial applications,

steel is now becoming the product of choice for the customer.

“We have ability to almost double our capacity when the economic conditions are right. We are going to keep moving, not just stand still and we have lots of exciting plans afoot, so watch this space.”

George Grant Engineering 62 Hunua Road Papakura Auckland T (09) 295 0550 E enquiries@gge.co.nz www.gge.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Ramset

TM

We are proud to be associated with George Grant Engineering.

23-29 Poland Road, Glenfield, Auckland 0627, NZ P: 09 444 3510 F: 09 444 2864 E: info@ramset.co.nz

Another unusual and successful project for George Grant Engineering took place in Marsden Cove, a large coastal subdivision near Whangarei. George Grant Engineering designed and built lock gates for the development.

The device raises and lowers boats between stretches of water. Pairs of steel doors are closed

PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH GEORGE GRANT ENGINEERING Suppliers of an extensive range of roofing and cladding profiles manufactured nationwide, as well as the most comprehensive range of purlins and tophat sections manufactured in New Zealand.

24-26 Trugood Drive • P: 09 273 2820 • F: 09 274 0251 Visit us online at www.metalcraftroofing.co.nz

For further information on our products or services contact us on 0800 WEBFORGE

www.webforge.co.nz

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 41

Property and Construction | Dysart Timbers ITM

Carly Saunders leads the Dysart Timbers’ Glen Innes team (from left), Geof Preston, Shaun Tekeu, Patta Limatau and Kevin Wells

Service with smiles Wood is one of man’s oldest natural resources and yet the uses it can be put to remain seemingly limitless.

Soon to celebrate 35 years in business, Dysart Timbers ITM is a privately owned New Zealand business stocking a vast range of building supplies — decking, fencing, trellis, treated and untreated timber, plasterboard and hardware.

Just as the rings of a tree tell a story about a journey through time, Auckland’s Dysart Timbers ITM is crafting its own story in the booming timber industry.

Predominantly servicing the construction industry, Dysart Timbers ITM opened a prenail and truss plant in 1985 to cater to the increasing demand by builders to save time on the job.

But it’s Dysart’s philosophy of supplying quality products and providing excellent service which has earned it the reputation of one of the leaders in its field, store manager Carly Saunders says. “It’s about stocking quality products that we know will do the job well. We know the timber and hardware we sell will do a great job and so do our customers.

“We have a very strong company culture. We work hard to ensure our staff are appreciated for everything they do for us. And our customers appreciate the familiar faces,” she says of the business which is big on building relationships.

“Our customers are like family. They’ve dealt with us, they know us. There’s a real sense of belonging which they don’t get elsewhere.”

“They know when they come here they get great service, great products and great staff.”

The company’s commitment to the community and the building trade has been cemented by the acquisition of the Drury store which opened 18 months ago, servicing south Auckland.

Many of Dysart’s 35 staff have been with the company for more than 10 years, ensuring a broad depth of trade and product knowledge.

Top quality service “The quiet time of year has allowed us to refine the business and ensure that the quality of our systems are up to scratch, so when it gets busier we have the efficiencies in place to offer top quality service to our customers.

“We want to be around for many years to come and the only way to do that is slow and steady. If you get too big too fast you risk losing your way.”

Proud to be associated with Dysart Timbers

The rings of New Zealand’s plentiful trees tell the story of a booming industry, one that has stood the test of time and one whose products also stand the test of time, many centuries after manufacture.

For information or timber sales, please contact us at:

Dysart Timbers ITM, much like the rings of the trees, has also stood the test of time, its products and booming business laying testament to the quality products, hard work and dedication of all who work within its doors.

34 Cove Road, Waipu Phone: 09 432 1155 Email: office@northpine.co.nz

Pryda is pleased to be associated with Dysart Timber.

“Business built on relationships”

Proud to be associated with Dysart Timbers P. 09 274 5751 | E. insure@pic.co.nz |W. www.pic.co.nz 42 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

For information contact Pryda on 0800 88 22 44 or visit www.pryda.co.nz

Dysart Timbers ITM 88 Merton Road Glen Innes Auckland T (09) 521 3609

— Advertising Feature

with

Projects

Property and Construction | The House Company

peace of mind

People who choose The House Company to build their new home know exactly what they will have to pay right from the start. It is a simple but vital ingredient in the company’s recipe for success, owner Hamish McArthur says.

Clients get the benefit of having a home built by a design and build operation but with the peace of mind and security of a fixed price, which usually only comes with a kitset package deal.

His branch of the firm covers the area from the harbour bridge to about Waipu and can cater for all parts of the residential market, whether people want a cost effective option, a design and build job or architectural tendering. “A three bedroom, brick and tile home on a level section with garaging can be done for under $225,000 — that’s with everything included,” he says.

The House Company is well versed in work at the higher end of the market too. In every year it has entered the House of the Year competition, the company has won awards.

McArthur recommends people considering purchasing a section should call in to discuss it with one of his team first. “The section may be within your budget, but without due diligence you can get caught in big traps.”

Getting an engineer’s report or the advice of someone experienced could make sure there aren’t problems which could make the project more difficult or expensive. “It could be in a flood zone or have class C or D soil type and you might end up needing to spend a lot of money on foundations.” He says an expert can also help locate services, boundary pegs and check things such as wind zones. “We also conduct a thorough search with the council.”

The advantage of hiring someone who lives locally is that if anything goes wrong it is much easier for them to get subcontractors to come back, he says. “Things can happen, so building in your own neighbourhood is better.”

McArthur’s local knowledge assists in other ways. “We know when you build on a high wind site, the characteristics you must allow for.

We’ve learned the hard way.”

Having built 300 houses, The House Company knows which products have stood the test of time and which haven’t.

McArthur says a company such as his also gets a lot of support from suppliers and people can be sure products are used to specifications, so warranties will be valid. Work comes with a 10 year Master Builders’ guarantee and McArthur says clients can feel reassured by the fact the company has a solid history and good structures in place.

Because of the number of houses they have been involved in building, The House Company can give a precise idea of how much a project will cost. Before work starts, that amount is agreed on and even if the cost of materials or labour increases, the figure does not change.

The House Company 3 Woodcocks Rd (Cnr State Highway 1) Warkworth Auckland T 0800 600 620 www.thehouseco.co.nz Advertising Feature

Proud to be supporting

The House company Visit our showroom to see our latest range of New Zealand and international bathroomware brands.

FREEPHONE 0800 844 488 VISIT www.mIcObaTHROOmS.cO.Nz

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 43

Manufacturing | Millennium Plastics

Moulding success . . .

Before you consign that surplus drink bottle to the recycling bin, here’s some points to ponder…

The New Zealand plastics industry generates $1.8 billion in annual turnover, employs more than 8000 people in more than 400 companies and exceeds 242,000 tonnes of production for the packaging, agricultural, construction and homewares sectors every year.

The export of plastic products has quadrupled in recent years — from $80 million in 1990, to approximately $335 million in 2000 — and the numbers are even higher now. In addition, up to half as much again is exported indirectly as packaging or components for other export industries such as agriculture and horticulture.

The New Zealand plastics industry is responsive, versatile and innovative. With technical excellence and a can-do attitude, manufacturers like Millennium Plastics are well versed in completing and exceeding challenge requirements. The Hamilton-based company specialises in injection moulding, a manufacturing process for producing parts from thermoplastic and thermosetting materials.

Millennium Plastics recently turned the clock on 10 years in business. The company started in a purpose-built facility with 11 injection moulding machines, four staff and a small customer base.

It now boasts 18 moulding machines, 40 staff and a significantly greater customer base.

The purpose-built facility and machinery enables it to operate as a specialist in high precision injection moulding and manufacturing.

It processes a broad range of resins from basic commodity materials through to advanced engineering polymers for a wide range of industries including the dairy industry, human and animal health, aquaculture, medical devices, electronics and general engineering.

Roots in agriculture

Millennium Plastics is ISO 9001:2008 certified and operates to current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) requirements. It has significant experience in product development and design, tooling and process validation.

Millennium Plastics’ roots are firmly placed in the agriculture sector. The company was formed in 2000, producing a wide range of components for clients manufacturing milking equipment systems and animal drug delivery systems.

Millennium Plastics offers these services to customers, many who require various levels of validation in order to meet the requirements of their markets. Millennium is a leader in the industry in providing process validation services.

From this foundation the team has worked hard at assisting the original clients with new product development as well as enhancing its existing product range through ongoing product refinement and development. Millennium Plastics has also placed a high priority on expanding its customer base and branching out into new and challenging markets such as medical devices, aquaculture and RFID (radiofrequency identification) applications.

Millennium Plastics’ business development manager Grant McMillan says the directors realised from the outset there was a developing market with significant growth potential in the animal health and medical device markets. Key strategies and goals were set in place to build the infrastructure to ensure the company was well placed to supply into these markets.

“Many of our customers are coming under ever more demanding regulatory requirements from the likes of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and various European regulatory bodies as they develop new products and market these into the likes of North America, Europe and Asia. We have developed very robust quality and operating systems around international standards such as cGMP and ISO. Computer Aided Manufacturing EXpertise

Top quality tooling GUARANTEED • Precision CNC Machining up to 1500mm travel.

• UniGraphics Cad - Cam software.

Proud to be associated with Millennium Plastics for 10 years

• In house design service.

• Full range of injection moulds, PET and blow-moulds.

• Specialist in thin wall section tooling.

• Mould repairs – fast turn around.

P. 07 849 2355 | F. 07 849 2346 www.hennessy.co.nz

Call now – 09 475 9134 For More info see www.camex.co.nz

Are you looking for a fleet provider that does it all?

Culamix is proud to be in partnership with Millennium Plastics as the supplier of high quality masterbatches for a wide range of engineering polymers.

Culamix - supporting the Plastic Industry with colour technology and solutions.

innovative solutions A Nuplex Group Company

9 Te Apunga Place | PO Box 62005 | Auckland P. 09 270 1555 | F. 09 276 1093 | E. phil@culamix.co.nz 44 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

An ORIX tailored-made solution makes this happen Our team of experts has extensive experience in the finance and leasing market, and take the time to understand your needs before tailoring a package which considers all the options.

For further information on an ORIX solution phone 0800 10 6749 or visit www.ORIX.co.nz 32 Manukau Road Newmarket

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Manufacturing | Millennium Plastics

recovered over the first 500 components.

“The demand to replace metal with cost effective solutions is continuing to increase and we are in a great position to provide assistance for companies wanting to look at the feasibility of replacing metal components with plastic,” McMillan says.

“This ensures we are well positioned to meet and deliver on our requirements as a supplier to our customers who operate in these markets,” McMillan says.

Millennium Plastics has a strong focus on technical support and design as a core value as it continues to push boundaries and explore new opportunities. Millennium Plastics’ technical director Ray Pryor says the company’s technical team enjoy taking on the challenges of developing new products.

“A client will come to us with their ideas and a sketch on the back of a table serviette from which our technical and design team will work with them to refine the product design, explore material options and provide 3D models.

“From there a prototype of the finished components can be produced to prove out function, before production tooling is built and components can be manufactured and supplied in commercial numbers.”

Plastics gain preference With the ongoing advancements in plastics technology and materials, components that were traditionally manufactured in ferrous metals and alloys are now being produced in plastics in ever increasing numbers.

The cost advantages are becoming too hard to ignore, with the component price being as low as five percent of the equivalent metal part.

While there is an initial tooling cost, this is often

The company hit another milestone in 2008 when it became the first injection moulding company in New Zealand to sign a supplier quality agreement with Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, taking its working relationship to the next level with the healthcare giant.

Millennium Plastics’ general manager Tony Rutz acknowledges this is a great achievement for the business.

“We will continue to invest in developing our systems and the skills of our staff. We have introduced lean manufacturing in recent times.

This involves staff across the whole organisation and the aim is to minimise waste in all areas of the business to ensure we are operating as

efficiently as possible while not compromising product quality,” Rutz says.

The New Zealand plastics industry is responsive, versatile and innovative, displaying technical excellence and the can-do attitude the country has become renowned for.

The same qualities apply to Millennium Plastics, whose passion and dedication to the industry in which it’s based, has set it on the path to success. It is clear Millennium Plastics has done much of the hard work during its first 10 years in business to ensure it is well placed to meet the challenges of the next decade.

Millennium Plastics Udy Place Te Rapa Industrial Estate Hamilton T (07)958 4512 E inquiries@millenniumplastics.co.nz www.millenniumplastics.co.nz — Advertising Feature

T EC P RINT LIMITED

Specialist Printer of Plastics

Proud to be associated with Millennium Plastics Ltd

Mouldings • Labels • Signs Hot Stamping • Pad Printing Screen Printing • Transfers

P: +64 7 856 7025 35 Jellicoe Drive Hamilton East Hamilton 3216 www.mwdesign.co.nz THINK.DESIGN.CREATE

87 Cambridge Road, Hamilton P. 07 856 5409 | M. 021 856 540 E. rlofthouse@xtra.co.nz

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 45

niversa An

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25

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Manufacturing | Siebert Industries

A R S

Translating terminology For some, the terms ‘CNC machining’, ‘vibro deburring’ and ‘metal fabrication’ have a mystifying effect and are lost in translation. But Siebert Industries — a leading New Zealand specialist in manufacturing, CNC machining, production cutting, product design and drawing — speaks the language.

R & P TRADERS ENGINEERING PRODUCTION GENERAL Ph +64 09 8182400 Fax +64 09 8182406 Email rptraders@xtra.co.nz

Manufacturing in sheet metal and steel fabrication, as well as aluminium components, Siebert Industries’ acquisition of its first CNC machining centre gave the business a new competitive edge, allowing the establishment to concentrate more on machining aluminium.

Today, the business is managed by Neville Siebert’s sons, Jason and Scott, who are dedicated to maintaining the standards set by their father, while Neville himself remains committed to overseeing the operation in a casual capacity.

Siebert skills

Not only that, Siebert’s approach to technology means the business can efficiently apply its understanding to a wide range of specialist projects for tangible and effective results.

With a reputation built on relieving production problems, Siebert Industries’ CNC machine centres can take a billet or aluminum extrusion and efficiently and economically machine this product to an exact specification.

Siebert’s core competency is finding solutions for customer product problems and its comprehensive knowledge base and extensive machining range, ensures the company can offer definitive and specialist solutions.

Siebert Industries has an extensive range of complimentary equipment including saws, presses, press brakes, guillotines and welders.

These specialised tools have application in drilling, tapping and milling aluminium.

Small but sure When maintenance engineer Neville Siebert purchased the engineering division of an anodising business, he himself may not have anticipated the growth this entity would experience in the course of its existence.

A small, but logical investment, this division evolved into Siebert Industries — a family owned and operated business, which has experienced significant professional progression since its official establishment in 1985.

And while Siebert Industries business has retained its small structure, its transformation into a commercially competitive operation has earned the company a reputation for producing cost and time efficient products. In 2010, the company will celebrate a quarter century of serving national and international customers.

Siebert Industries Limited CNC Machining • Metal Fabrication • Turning • Aluminium Fencing • Security Doors

Siebert Industries can also deburr product in a specialised vibro-rumbling machine, which leaves the product ready for anodizing or powder coating. In addition, on-site rotary table machines enable product to be loaded by the business, while other pallets are being machined, allowing for a faster turnaround time.

The diverse range of technology, in conjunction with the comprehensive skills of staff members, ensures the company delivers finished products with little or no out-source. Siebert’s in-house production programme supports consistent and strict quality controls and deadline adherence.

This business takes a forward-thinking attitude to technology. The acquisition of three fully automatic machining centres and specialist software packages throughout the business’ history, is representative of its commitment to professional progression.

EPout Security Doors - 0800 kE Standard Security Door in Existing Wooden Frame $500.00 Installed

Security Door on Aluminium Joinery $680.00 Installed

51 Angle Street, Onehunga, Auckland, NZ P: 09 622 3408 P: 0800 keepout • F: 09 634 3753 W: www.siebert.co.nz E: siebert@vodafone.co.nz 46 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

Manufacturing | Siebert Industries

Manufacturing | Neotec For 30 years Auckland-based business Neotec has been designing and manufacturing Shugg sashless vertical sliding windows for buildings throughout the country.

Wicked windows Siebert Q&A As a customer relations oriented business, Siebert Industries has thought outside the professional square and put itself in its customer’s shoes. Compiling a list of frequently asked customer questions, the business offers definitive responses to common enquiries.

Q A

I’ve been let down in the past by other companies.

Will you be different?

We have been established for 25 years and currently manufacture for one of New Zealand’s leading healthcare companies. Our reputation is built on delivery and quality.

Q A Maintaining a long-standing contract with a reputable New Zealand healthcare supplier, Jason Siebert says the professional relationships formed with customers from various industries, including marine, transport, building and security sectors, are enduring.

“We have a distinct customer base, which includes many of the referral clients we get from the aluminium extruders we work with.

Our client base is definitely something we are proud of; we’ve got a good rapport with our customers, because they know the services and quality we offer.”

Situated in an accessible location in Onehunga, close to the southern motorway and in proximity to local anodizing and powder coating specialists, Siebert Industries is committed to running an efficient business.

Can you handle our job from start to finish?

Our specialty is in delivering finished product to our customers. We can source the right material, cut, machine, deburr, paint, anodize, powder coat, assemble and pack.

Q A

Neotec provides a complete manufacturing and installation service, working with 300 approved fabricators and joiners throughout the country. Shugg windows are available with double glazing or can use a low E laminate to maintain a sashless effect and still comply with the new standards for window insulation.

Neotec owner Philip Charlton says sashless windows are far superior because they don’t have a frame around them, meaning when windows are opened there aren’t bits of frame blocking the view.

of options for glass or solid panels in vertical cavity sliders used as hatches or serveries is also available for new and existing buildings.

“We definitely don’t just create Shuggs for new homes and buildings. We can retro-fit in any situation, even in doors.”

Shuggs can be inserted into any aluminium, timber, Smartwood or Alti windows and doors. Neotec has supplied shugg windows to residential, commercial, educational and institutional buildings.

“They’re also perfect for decks and alongside pathways, as when open, nothing protrudes out to bang into, which is why we install so many of our windows into schools, public areas and houses throughout the country.”

Anybody interested in Neotec’s products can visit their Eden Terrace showroom or you can visit www.shugg.co.nz to view the product.

Architects and builders can also download computer aided drafting drawings as part of Neotec’s design service.

Neotec makes sashless windows up to three metres wide and five metres high. The windows can be motorised, to be opened and shut by remote control.

Charlton says customers can come in and talk to them without any obligation. “All of our consultations are free.”

Shugg windows can be used as glass barriers, which provide a stylish solution to ventilation requirements while providing protection from falling, or access to areas around swimming pools. Charlton says Neotec can manufacture one-off designs for specific situations. A range

Manufacturing in New Zealand can be expensive; how do you compete?

Neotec PO Box 68349 Newton, Auckland T (09) 379 9368 F (09) 379 9361 E neotec@xtra.co.nz www.shugg.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Our investment in automation means we can provide a very competitive service, whether you are after short runs or large scale production.

Q A

I have a product I want produced, how do I go about getting a quote?

Call us or send us a drawing. We will discuss with you the best way of manufacturing your product and send you a quotation.

For the future, Jason Siebert says the objective is to keep expanding the company.

“We want to grow and diversify the business, because we understanding that growth is achieved through diversification.

“Throughout the years, we have moved into completing residential security door work, but our next venture will be focused on modular fencing.”

Siebert Industries PO Box 13564 Onehunga Auckland 1634 T (09) 622 3408 F (09) 634 3753 E siebert@xtra.co.nz www.siebert.co.nz — Advertising Feature

AUCKLAND 55 MAURICE ROAD, PENROSE PO BOX 12387 PH 09 622 9100 FAX 09 622 9119

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PALMERSTON NORTH PH/FAX 06 323 4445

A division of CONSOLIDATED ALLOYS (NZ) Limited

Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 47

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Solutions | Hot Water Heat Pumps

pumping hot water YE

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hwhp product lines

Residential/commercial swimming pool heat and pumps Residential/commercial spa pools heat pumps Residential/commercial under-floor heating heat pumps Domestic hot water heat pumps Water to water chillers and heaters Reverse cycle water to water chillers and heaters Energy efficient indoor pool heat recovery systems Condensation control ventilation systems Time clock bypass and management control system Hydroponics nutrient temperature control Aquaculture temperature control

Once upon a time there was a garage-sized business. Small, modest, yet innovative by nature, the business defied the odds and grew to become a leading New Zealand heat pump manufacturing entity that today occupies a 1255 square metre factory in Henderson, Auckland.

The concept for this business was born in 1976, when entrepreneur Don Trigg built a 60 degree celcius water heat pump. Today, the Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP), is a privately owned operation with a history of constant and steady growth and stable management.

As a leading designer and manufacturer of Performance Plus brand Heat Pump products for domestic and international markets, HWHP currently exports to Chile, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, America, Singapore and the Pacific Islands, while continuing

to expand its export territory. By various reckonings, HWHP has been a viable concern for more than three decades. The company’s products have proven value in a wide range of applications and its customer base extends to residential home owners, hotel owners, distributors, city councils, school pool users and marine farm owners.

Founder and owner Don Trigg had been developing swimming pool heat pumps since 1980, when he identified a gap in the market for a niche business. By 1986, Trigg was the only swimming pool heat pump manufacturer still operating here.

In 1996, Trigg introduced the Performance Plus brand of swimming pool heat pumps to the New Zealand market. Utilising titanium tubing within the heat exchanger unit, the introduction of this high-tech corrosion resistant tubing has made swimming pool heat pumps viable.

This innovative methodology was a logical alternative to the standard grade of tubing in use during the early 1980s, which failed when proper pool balance was not maintained and caused considerable damage to the heat pump’s refrigeration system.

The HWHP difference Rotational Moulders, Acrylic Aquarium specialists, Thermoforming and fabrication, Plastic Sheet, rod and tube stockist, CNC routering and Engineering services

ociated with Proud to be ass t Pumps Ltd Hot Water Hea 21 Wakefield Street, Onekawa Ph. 06 843 2299 | Fax. 06 843 0945 www.classique-plastics.com

Designing and manufacturing products which are of a high quality and performance, that can withstand the corrosive nature of the New Zealand environment, is at the forefront of HWHP’s operation.

As a solutions based business, HWHP has dedicated its operation to advancing heat pump technology and has evolved with emerging consumer trends and preferences.

“Swimming pool heating is essentially the foundation of this company and constitutes 50 percent of all our business,” HWHP sales and marketing manager Kevin Trigg says.

“Just five years ago it was 90 percent.

The decrease in the swimming pool heating business is not due to a reduction in pool heating sales, but an increase in new applications for heat pumps.”

SPECIALISTS IN CABINET WORK AND PRODUCTION SHEETMETAL WORK Fast Friendly Service | Free Quotes | No Job Too BIG or Too Small

Proud to be associated with Hot Water Heat Pumps Ltd 334B Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland Ph/Fax 09 828 3830 | Mob 021 144 9019 48 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

Solutions | Hot Water Heat Pumps

hwhp applications

With data collection, design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, delivery and after sales back up as the core constituent elements of the HWHP operation, Triggs credits the business’ New Zealand owned and operated status as being an attractive professional characteristic. Outstanding after sales support and long-life products, also sets HWHP apart.

The company’s adherence to, and incorporation of, the highest manufacturing quality standards is also an essential element. “Although it is a competitive industry, it is also unregulated, which means there are differing standards. But

at HWHP, we know we have a reputation to keep and moral standards we want to adhere to,” Trigg says. “We ensure our products uphold all relevant heat pump standards. HWHP is also on the New Zealand and Australian standards committee for heat pump water heaters and we are working towards a more regulated industry.

Hot Water Heat Pumps PO Box 21586 Henderson, Waitakerere 0650 T (09) 838 9444 F (09) 838 6223 E info@waterheating.co.nz www.poolheating.co.nz

“For us it is about having quality products and persistence. We aim to make a product that is specifically for the New Zealand market.” This year HWHP is participating in the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays and the Auckland and Canterbury-based Homeshows.

Domestic hot water Dual purpose — pool and underfloor Dual purpose — pool and spa heating Dual purpose — underfloor and domestic Swimming pool and spa heating Hydroponics Indoor pool ventilation Underfloor heating Water chillers Dehumidifiers

— Advertising Feature

We offer the best possible solution & most competitive price • Digital Thermostat • Heat Pump Controller • Flow Switch • Solenoid Valve

• Circulation Pump • Swimming Pool Pump • Auto Booster Pump • Submersible Pump

PO Box 121 411, Henderson Auckland Fax: 09 836 7398 • www.tempercon.co.nz Proud suppliers to Hot Water Heat Pump Ltd

e l i b o m a h t i w d o o g ng i h t e m o s Do To donate your old phone, pick up an envelope at any branch of ASB, The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery or Barfoot & Thompson, or drop it into the recycling bins at any Telecom or Vodafone store.

Visit www.starship.org.nz/phone for more information.

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Ticketmaster 6/05/10 3:09 PM Auckland Today | July/August 2010 | 49

Solutions | AB Equipment

Constant Specialists in: Inter island freight movements Shane Pearson Managing Director Auckland Tom 021 909 770 Napier Peter 027 540 9090 Palmerston North Jarrod 021 909 997 Wellington Chris 021 909 557 Christchurch Brian 027 255 0157

Oversize and awkward loads are our specialty Flat deck work is our core business Machinery of all types transported

Proud to be associated with AB Equipment

drive to thrive

While there is no way to determine the origin of materials handling as a concept, the industry goes hand in hand with commercial trade. As long as trade has occurred, there has been a need to handle and store the goods throughout the process.

The roots of modern material handling began with the industrial revolution. Skids and pallets were introduced early in the 20th century to replace wooden boxes, crates, barrels and kegs which had previously been used to store and transport goods. As the industry progressed, so came the need for state-of-the-art machinery and equipment.

AB Equipment was established in 1983 from an existing 100 year old company, to meet the demand for materials handling and construction equipment. Headquartered in Auckland and operating in 16 locations around New Zealand, AB Equipment employs more than 200 people.

Today owned by NZSX listed investment company Hellaby Holdings, AB Equipment

has risen through the ranks of the industry to become a major player in a diversified range of sectors nationwide.

AB Equipment has been the dominant market leader in the materials handling industry since the mid 1980s and is recognised for owning the largest forklift rental fleet in New Zealand. The company is a significant supplier to the construction equipment sector and has recently extended its market participation by entering the transport industry.

Such a long and illustrious history had come at a cost, CEO Peter Dudson says. After operating in Manukau since the company’s inception, the first of its two Auckland branches had been underperforming. “We have basically re-built the Manukau branch over the past year, bringing it in line with the high standards of our other branches,” Dudson says.

“We have some exciting new people in the branch; Chris Sansome has come on-board as dealer principal, as well as a new service manager, rental manager and sales team — there’s exciting stuff going on. With Chris’ leadership, people and vision, there’s a real positive story unfolding in the Manukau branch.”

Only a positive story would be fitting of the business whose products enable efficiencies in a vast range of New Zealand businesses. “We supply two kinds of forklifts, engine powered for general forklift use and the electric forklift for warehousing solutions. This allows our client base to range from a small local fruit shop through to Coca-Cola and The Warehouse for their warehousing and distribution — we have a range of forklifts to go anywhere.”

This diversity in market participation has also enabled AB Equipment to stay strong during tough economic times. “In terms of the recession it’s fair to say the construction sector took a hiding. With our supply of Sumitomo excavators, Sakai road rollers, a product called Vermeer which gives us directional drills and environmental tools like chippers, Manitou telehandlers, MacDonald Johnston gives us road

Proud to be associated with

AB EQUIPMENT

Branches Nationwide Whangarei North Harbour Auckland Hamilton

Taupo Mt Maunganui New Plymouth Napier/Hastings

Wellington Palmerston North Christchurch

Timaru Dunedin Invercargill

P. 0800 30 30 90 | W. www.abequipment.co.nz MATERIAL HANDLING | CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT |TRANSPORT 50 | Auckland Today | July/August 2010

sweepers and rubbish trucks — these are niche products which have stabilised our position.”

While roading construction has suffered in the economic climate, there’s exciting things in the pipeline. “We have underground directional drilling equipment — with Auckland’s broadband rollout, there are opportunities coming up.

When it comes to drilling the fibre optic cable to enable broadband to every Auckland house, we have the equipment for that.

“Wood chippers have maintained a stable market throughout the recession. Nationally we have held our market share well with forestry equipment too.”

But it’s the parts and service operations of the company which Dudson says is the company’s focus. “We are first and foremost a parts and service company, which sells products. There’s no point in having quality products without the service and parts capability to back it up.

“We’ve been through restructuring and a big focus has been on the balance sheet. It puts us in a good position going forward — leaner and meaner. And with our Manukau restructuring and Chris Sansome at the helm we are in an incredible position going forward.”

AB Equipment Ltd Cnr Cavendish and Lambie Drives Manukau City Auckland T (09) 262 2732 www.abequipment.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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