Canterbury Today #104 by Academy Group

Issue 104 | October/November 2010

www.canterburytoday.co.nz

 Rising from the rubble How Christchurch is about to build its way out of recession

 Recovery planning What lessons has your business learned?

 Counting the

cost of recovery

In the wake of the quake… an economic forecast

 Change management What to and not to do when instigating organisational change

 Working at war Keep your friends close and your colleagues closer

 Pardon the interruption Workplace distractions – a pest or a path to creativity?

 Foreign property When this land isn’t our land

Crisis control Many Cantabrians showed their true colours after the earthquake and none more so than Bob Parker

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quite simply….

why look any further than

Newbery Lodge!

Only 10 minutes from the city centre and up a long, shady, tree-lined driveway in Opawa, you will find Newbery Lodge, a stately home, nestled in an acre of tranquil gardens, surrounded by magnificent trees. Once a grand private residence, Newbery Lodge, named in memory of the Newbery family who owned the original home built on this site in the late 1800s, has been managed as a function venue since the early 1970s. Oozing ambience, the term function centre is too austere for this charming house. Conscious of preserving that charm, Rick Preen, Newbery’s owner for over 25 years, has retained features of it’s past including items such as the brass lion door-knocker at the front door and some of the original pieces of furniture.

An outstanding wedding and special function venue, warm and welcoming, able to accommodate your guests in the manner you choose – away from it all, exclusive yet accessible to the city, with outstanding cuisine. The lodge is also the perfect spot for corporate seminars and workshops, with privacy and tranquility - ideal for good brainstorming and bonding. With the best possible cuisine and hospitality allowing you to concentrate on the job at hand. Under the enthusiastic, experienced and professional management of Rick Preen, Newbery Lodge can cater in all seasons, for weddings, conferences, seminars, private functions and corporate training sessions.

Quite simply…. why look any further than Newbery Lodge! • Outstanding wedding and special function venue • Ideal for corporate seminars, workshops and private business lunches • Perfect for staff functions and reward incentives

Book before 30 November 2010 and take advantage of these fantastic offers WEDDINGS • FREE VENUE HIRE - winter season (June, July, August) was $750 • $500 VENUE HIRE - peak season usually $950 • $6.50 CORKAGE was $9.50 FUNCTIONS • FREE ROOM HIRE from 1 May to 31 August 2011 Newbery Lodge offers full indoor and outdoor facilities for all dining and entertainment requirements including cocktail parties, formal dinners, weddings, birthdays and other special celebrations, conference and corporate functions, seminars and special events.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 3

Issue 104 | October/November 2010

www.canterburytoday.co.nz

 Rising from the rubble How Christchurch is about to build its way out of recession

 Recovery planning What lessons has your business learned?

 Counting the

cost of recovery

In the wake of the quake… an economic forecast

 Change management What to and not to do when instigating organisational change

 Working at war Keep your friends close and your colleagues closer

 Pardon the interruption Workplace distractions – a pest or a path to creativity?

 Foreign property When this land isn’t our land

Crisis control Many Cantabrians showed their true colours after the earthquake and none more so than Bob Parker

Canterbury Today

Issue 104

17,116 ABC circulation as at 30/06/10

www.canterburytoday.co.nz Head office Academy House 818 Colombo Street PO Box 1879 Christchurch managing director Gary Collins

admin manager

sales & advertising Rob Cochrane sales executives Miranda Hearn Nicole Saunders Steve Dando Grant Williams Colin Morais Jane Watson Anthony Li Janet Campbell Dallas Beckett Luke Finucane John Somerville Doug Walker Mike Burke newsroom Jonathon Taylor Marie Sherry Melinda Collins Kate Pierson Bridget Gourlay

Counting the cost of recovery

Rising from the rubble

In the wake of the quake… an economic forecast

How Christchurch is about to build its way out of recession

editor

Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: editor@academy.net.nz

production Fleur Hall manager Carolynne Brown assistants Melanie Stanbury designers CJ McKay Hayley Brocket Ryan Carter Ian Knott Kirsty Opie Jarred Shakespeare Phone: 03 961 5050 Fax: 0800 555 054 Email: production@academy.net.nz Knowledge for growing business since 1985

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.

Cover story Many Cantabrians showed their true colours after the earthquake and none more so than Bob Parker

General manager Rebecca Harris administration Kylie Moore Kelly Clarke Rebecca McQueen Kimberley Wells Craig Mills

Motoring

Agribusiness

The Peugeot RCZ wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk, but how does it perform on the road?

Issues with the wine industry through to foreign ownership and taking another look at border control

Change Management Dealing with the dynamics of change, the right way to restructure and handling the human factor

The aftermath

News

Business features

8 Future proofing how to future-proof yourself without buying a time machine

6 Been seen check out the faces at places

32 NZIA Awards Sheppard and Rout Architects

18 Products 4U the bean scene

36 Business Development Eastern Resources Group, North South Holiday Park, Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint, CodeBlue, Tatom Engineering, Alto Packaging, Fr8base, New Century Press, Giera Progressive First National and SB Global Logistics

8 Problems and opportunities local business leaders look forward 9 Counting the cost of recovery In the wake of the quake… an economic forecast 10 Rising from the rubble how Christchurch is about to build its way out of recession

19 Lifestyles toys, tools, destinations and palate pleasers 23 Pardon the interruption working distractions — a pest or a path to creativity?

11 Saving the standing protecting our precious heritage buildings

24 Beating the backlash avoid adding insult to injury when customers complain

12 Recovery planning what lessons has your business learned?

Viewpoints

22 Working at war keep your friends close and your colleagues closer

20 Networking good business needs the human touch 22 Rebecca’s rant as bouquets are to brickbats, so is a rave to a rant

Change management

Agribusiness

14 The dynamics of change you’re either moving forward, or falling behind

85 Travel without borders is streamlining trans-Tasman travel a good idea?

15 The right way to restructure how you change is equally as important as what you change

86 Pressing concerns exports aside, the wine industry’s got issues

16 The human factor You can’t push a square peg into a round hole

87 Foreign property the simple solution to offshore ownership

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4 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

56 Initiatives Bright Hope World, Dress for Success and Annesbrook Church 62 Wedding wonderland A Grand Affair and Robyn Cliffe Couturiere 66 Focus The Curator’s House, Rotherhams of Riccarton and The Marque Christchurch 72 Corporate Destinations The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre 74 Retail Piko Wholefoods 76 Goods & Services Award Plastics and Display, Manning Signs and GWF Tip Top Bakeries 82 Property & Construction Miles Construction and Calder Stewart Steel 85 Agribusiness Meat Industry Association, Grant Hood Contracting, Bob Howden Engineering, Grounds & Services, Fertiliser Quality Council and Waitaki District Council

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Aucklander’s Technology To The Rescue The Canterbury earthquake was for far too many a ringing till – “chi chi chang“money for the easy taking. Some contractors and repairers thought the tragedy was to be a cash cow. Associated with this were the scammers who were selling false representations as to what they could do in order for them to fleece people of their cash. The warnings went out to check the authenticity of trades people and to be aware of scammers. In the midst of this entire shambles was HydroTech Drainage and Plumbing Ltd from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest drainage maintenance company. HydroTech responded to a request to supply their cutting edge technology to assist in the recovery and repair effort. They did exactly that and kept their charges to the same rate or even less than they charge to their Auckland based customers. Wayne McNeil, HydroTech’s Business Development Manager said “The devastation that hit the Canterbury region was gut-wrenching. While we were flat out in Auckland we did not hesitate to send our world leading cutting edge technology with some of our best staff and charge the same or less as we do for our key account customers. “This was not a time to alter charges to benefit the company that is not our standards. It was a pleasure to be able to assist. We will remain in the Canterbury region for as long as the principal contractors require us to be there.” Some 16 years ago Alan and Phillip Hopkins started HydroTech Drainage and Plumbing Ltd with a couple of small trucks, along with an assortments of spades, shovels, picks and assorted gear. Alan’s dog Rook was often in the cab of the truck.

councils and companies outside the Auckland region to tender for work using its cutting edge technology. With a commitment to protect the environment, many of HydroTech’s vehicles meet high European Emission standards. Because of the advanced technology, there is a smaller carbon footprint on the communities, use of less pristine water from the reservoirs, less waste is taken to landfills and this causes reduced costs to HydroTech’s customers. The 10 wheeler RECyler Unit which is in Christchurch is the largest of its type in the world, built especially for

#1 in n o i t c for a ction liquefa ion! t extrac

Using the “Never say No” policy, HydroTech, which is based in Glendene West Auckland, developed steadily. Acknowledging the importance of technology Alan and Phillip went to the IFAT shows in Germany, when in September this year, they attended the show, where they gained considerable knowledge as to what was available within the water and sewerage industries.

HydroTech by Larsen’s of Denmark. This technology allows for this vehicle to be filled with water once and then clean and clear drains using that water which is recycled on the unit. This means that the RECyler can stay at one site continuously using its own recycled water. It compresses solid waste substantially reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.

While accessing cutting edge technology HydroTech staff also used their own skills to develop and manufacture equipment at their Glendene site. Because of this, HydroTech became known as the company that would find solutions to whatever confronted them.

Accompanying the RECyler is HydroTech’s Maskoflex Unit. This excellent equipment while using a polymer will sort the solids from the liquid, the solids can be compressed on the plant, substantially reducing waste going to the landfills and the liquid can be used for reprocessing at the site. It is important that some bacteria is placed back into septic tanks to start the bacterial process immediately reducing unpleasant odours.

The company expanded its business to open offices in Hamilton and Whitianga, and is being approached by local

HydroTech has a large and small Combination Unit on standby should they be needed. These are both flushing and vacuuming trucks all in one. This reduces the need for extra trucks to be at a site. Accompanying the drainage trucks is a HydroTech CCTV unit accompanied by highly trained technicians. This vehicle has several types of cameras on board that can be used to create visuals of what is underground in the pipes, record the data which is then burned onto a DVD with an accompanying condition report. HydroTech can also locate faults up to a depth of 15 metres. Wayne says, “We have dispatched to Christchurch a formidable package of technology. We will be able to alleviate several problems much quicker than conventional units. The feedback from Christchurch has been superb. Allocated work is being done much quicker than expected, our reporting systems are being acknowledged as being some of the best that has been seen and we have progressed utility replacement well ahead of schedule and of course we are under budget.” While HydroTech is aware of the rivalry between Aucklanders and Cantabrians, that has been put aside and there has been total focus on restoring some form of order that will assist the communities return to their normal lives as quickly as possible accompanied by invoices where HydroTech’s charge rates have been negotiated to sometimes a less than normal rate in recognition of costs to the Canterbury communities. HydroTech’s vehicles have been seen on the Christchurch streets and requests have been made from private groups for their services before they return to Auckland. Wayne says ”We have been approached by a company to do work for them while we are in Christchurch. Some companies have asked us to demonstrate equipment. It is a privilege to be in Christchurch and being able to assist in such traumatic times.” HydroTech’s Manager of the Christchurch operation Mr. Robbie Williams says “I am proud the crews and their daily achievements and the support I am getting from City Care. I am sure we have much to offer while we are here.” You can learn more about HydroTech on their website www.hydrotechdrainage.co.nz or by contacting them on 0800-249376

The HydroTech boys in Christch urch

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View these photos and more online at www.canterburytoday.co.nz

beenseen Images taken and supplied by Lynne Puddy-Greenwood, Events Editor. If you have an event that you’d like covered, email Lynne at lynne.p@academy.net.nz

Trelise Cooper fashion show - Armstrong Prestige Mercedes Benz Trelise Cooper showed off her new colourful summer range to a huge turnout at Armstrong Prestige Mercedes Benz in Christchurch. The show was a huge success and everyone who was anyone turned up to enjoy the entertainment and gorgeous young models showing off her new clothing range. 1 Aussie Browne, Trelise Cooper 2 Bernard O’Neill (Blazey Apparel), Coby Duggan (Mercedes Benz Auckland) 3 Russell Stevens (Motelier), Mike Prendergast (Entrepreneur), Tim Bennet (Armstrong Prestige) 4 Roberta and David Lewis 5 Rick Armstrong and Campbell Fergusson 6 Chrissy Donaldson, Saskia Hargreaves, Alexandra Anticich 7 Nola and Bill Scurr, Karen McCall, Geoff Matthews (Mercedes Car Club) 8 Yoomi (Trelise Cooper), Lydia (Swan lake of Cashmere) 9 Tessa Smith (Harcourts Gold), Lynette McFadden 10 Duncan Laing (Laing Construction), Lydia (Swan Lake at Cashmere), Sally Darling, Tony Williams (Ashley Hotel) 11 Lynn Woods, Angelique Armstrong 12 Edith Thwaites, Leslie Browne 13 Wazila Nabi and June Nicklin 14 Lydia Timklub, Adrienne Francis, Sue George.

The Annual Grand National Meeting The Annual Grand National Meeting was held at Riccarton Racecourse and we found a few glamour girls out their trotting there stuff and having a great time winning and losing!

15 Louis M. Crimp (Southern Equities), Andrew Crimp, Janine Hobbs 16 Megan Keith (Radio Network), Shane Micthell (Progressive) 17 Chrissy Chisholm (Tourism Properties.com), Virginnia Scott (Virginnia Scott Beauty Therapy Clinic) 18 Luciana Lovrich (Genesis Imports), Brenda Cummings (Westpac) 19 Rose Agnew and Liz Whalan 20 Bill and Marvin Cotton (Canterbury Racing Treasurer).

6 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

View these photos and more online at www.canterburytoday.co.nz OCTA Associates Silverware Presentation Night Octa Associates Ltd held a SilverWare evening at the NZi3 Building, Canterbury University on 1 September. The function was to celebrate the obtainment of more than 20 years of service by 8 staff members and also acknowledged five young project managers through the awarding of the Octa Prize in Project Management. 21 Alistair Peat (Business Development Man), David McLernon (Director OCTA 1993), Rod Carr (Vice Chancellor University) 22 Craig Muir, Peter Grange and Brian Song (Sheepcatchers - the name of the prize-winning team) 23 David Browne (David Browne Contractors), Peter Eggleton (Rawlinson) 24 Jack Goldsmith (Director), Sandy Sheebie, Selwyn Bankier (Director OCTA 1973, founding member), Steve Sheere (IT Project Manager OCTA) 25 Peter Townsend (Chamber of Commerce), Rod Carr (Vice Chancellor University), William Cockerill (Founding Member OCTA 1973), David McLernon (Director OCTA 1993) 26 Bharta Ghana (Office Admin OCTA), Carol Eades (Office Manager OCTA), Jessica Elliott (PA to David McLernon OCTA) 27 Brian Son, Craig Muir & Peter Grange (Sheepcatchers Prize Winner), David McLernon (Director OCTA 1993) 28 Sheryl Fraser, Ian Fraser (URS Consulting), David McLernon (Director OCTA 1993) 29 Sylvia Browne (David Browne Contractors), Julie Wilkinson (Ruamoko Solutions) 30 David Broderick (BNZ), Harry McLernon (BNZ) 31 Alan Fairbrother (IT Project Manager OCTA), Glynn Eddes (Advanced Engineering Group) 32 Margaret Peat (Fingerprints Christian Preschool), Mary Botting, Campbell Botting (Ballantynes), Richard Ballantyne 33 John Cooper (Pacific Horizon Motor Homes), Almut Perrett (wife of Richard), Denise Tocker (Denise Tocker & Associates), Richard Perrett (Price Waterhouse Cooper) 34 Tim Scott (Project Manager OCTA), Peter Marshall (Warren & Mahoney Architects), Mike Davies (Project Manager), Grant Wilkinson (Structural Engineer, Ruamoko Solutions).

Geon new premises opening

Geon held an evening of casino entertainment at their fabulous new premises in Lichfield Street. Clients had a ball and the food and drinks flowed.

35 Jackie Whiting, Richard Peebles (Ferry Oak Properties), Danny Whiting (Consortium Construction) 36 Megan Cross (Geon), Matt Johnson (Las Vegas Functions), Joni Warren 37 Roger Kirwan (General Manager Southern Region), Andrew Durrans (Group General Manager) 38 Darrin Kennedy (Spicers Paper), David Hayes (Hamilton Hinden Greene), William Bisset (Geon Timaru) 39 John De Vries (De Vries Design), Elliott Duston (Luxon Advertising) 40 Nevin White (Geon Auckland), Pip MacFarlane (Geon Wellington), Sandy Boniface (Canon NZ) 41 Jill Clementson (Geon), Sheree Grant (Spicers Paper) 42 Allan McLay and Natalie Taylor (The Press), Joni Warren and Peter Wood (Geon).

www.canterburytoday.co.nzâ&#x20AC;&#x192; â&#x20AC;&#x192; October/November 2010 | 7

News | Recovery Moves

The impact of 40 seconds of massive earthquake, triggered at 4.35am on September 4, is going to be with Canterbury forever. However, the region has been quick to bounce back. Canterbury Today profiles the recovery from the local business viewpoint. Photography by Jonathan Taylor

Problems/opportunities By Bridget Gourlay

Members from the business community met in September and discussed the earthquake’s impact on their own business and brainstormed ways to rebuild the city. They discussed what problems and opportunities the earthquake has presented Christchurch with. Here’s a run down of ideas pitched to help address issues at hand:  Use search engine optimisation so when people search on Google they find positive messages about Christchurch. Promote what is still working rather than what isn’t, and have positive news items so that the tourism industry doesn’t flag.  Push for the council to have some control over who gets the rebuild work, giving local companies priority.  Set up a business mentoring network for business owners who aren’t sure how to recover from the quake and need help getting their business back on track.

 Rebuild with better, stronger, more ecofriendly, self-sustaining buildings and strengthen our existing heritage buildings.  Use this experience for analysis and as a training exercise for geologists. Make Christchurch a role model for the world in disaster recovery.  Develop existing staff, recoup losses and grow businesses.  Start customising work to the needs that are out there — people can develop a range of skills to enable transition between areas of demand. Good chance to upskill the unemployed with a labour shortage.  Consult with other countries and companies who can gain from our experience.  The ‘Student Army’ can reverse mentor all the businesses they’ve helped.  Chance for Christchurch to rebrand itself — change people’s perceptions.  Don’t fix the broken clock on Moorhouse Ave — it stopped at the exact time of the earthquake. Could become a quirky Christchurch icon and a tourist attraction.  Chance for businesses to raise brand awareness by assisting volunteer groups.

 Build a stronger small business network by people helping each other out.

 Look at long term aims, use the money pouring in to grow/support local businesses.

By Bridget Gourlay

Data back-up

You can’t predict the future, it’s often glibly said. Here in Christchurch we know that for a fact. While we all remember earthquake lessons in primary school and have felt the odd rumble over the years, no one was really expecting the magnitude 7.1 shake on September 4.

Business mentor Debbie Mayo-Smith says ensuring your data survives a disaster is crucial. She recommends business owners not only have their data stored in computers and hard drives but online as well, something called “cloud computing.” “No matter physically what happens, your information is always going to be there.”

The think tank also brainstormed how the business community could be part of the relief effort. This is what they came up with:  Arrange benefits/gigs/sporting events to boost the city’s morale and profile.  Set up a skills database of professionals who are willing to volunteer a certain amount of their time to people or businesses who need help — combine all the resources of various industries.  Produce t-shirts and other promotional materials with a positive angle on recent events.  Businesses should have a policy which allows one employee per week (relative to size of company, could be more) to donate a certain amount of their time to help with relief work.  Support for migrant businesses who don’t have strong networks to rely on.  Start a shared facility for affected businesses to use in the interim period.  Take care of staff — they are dealing with problems too, so make sure they aren’t overworked. Offer training and seminars to support those facing trauma, etc.

Future proofing … time to get started

Fortunately, a mixture of strong buildings, good timing and sheer luck meant nobody was killed and only a couple seriously injured. But many business owners, particularly of SMEs, are facing serious disruptions and even bankruptcy over destroyed buildings, lost data and inadequate insurance. So how can SMEs future-proof themselves without buying a time machine?

Insurance

Insurance is the real conundrum. Seeing ruined shops and red-stickered buildings may make you For example, every email Mayo-Smith receives want to reach for your insurance broker’s DDI, is copied to her gmail account. On her laptop but many SMEs feel they must weigh paying for she has only about 100 emails but on gmail covers against staying in the black. she has over 25,000. If an earthquake hit and her laptop was destroyed, she has copies of all Darrin Franks, AIA New Zealand’s head of distribution and marketing, gives the example of the emails she has received online. a small plumbing business going under because An earthquake is even more devastating the plumber has an accident and is paralysed. for businesses that keep paper records only, “If he’d had trauma insurance, there would have which she says is more common than you been an immediate lump-sum payout to inject would think. “My (Auckland based) hairdresser cash into the business and keep all the plumbers doesn’t have a computer, and keeps her client employed, and then a regular amount paid out records on index cards. That’s where she keeps to cover the overheads each month. Total and notes on how to make their hair colours. If she permanent disability insurance would have had an earthquake it could have all been lost.” enabled the plumber and his representatives to meet his financial needs for the rest of his life.” Check your building The other way to future proof your business Mayo-Smith recommends is to look closely at the premises you rent and ensure it will survive a disaster. Some landlords see

8 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

property as a cash cow and not deserving of TLC, so get a building inspection and assess how well your building will stand up to another earthquake, a fire or a flood. If the results aren’t good, you will need to make the decision whether to move or not.

Franks estimated the premiums for this level of protection would be approximately $12,000 per year — less than one percent of the annual profit of a typical trade business of this size.

News | Recovery Moves

Standing firm It’s been said that adversity doesn’t build character, but reveals it. The response to the September 4 earthquake has revealed much about our city, its satellite townships and the Canterbury community in general. It also revealed quite a bit about our local leadership. In particular Mayor Bob Parker who, in a brief respite from overseeing the clean-up of all clean-ups, spoke at the Charteris Bay Yacht Club official opening (an event he attends annually come hell, high water or acts of God), about how well people had done in the face of such daunting losses, tasks and realisations. He thanked volunteers, praised the spirit of co-operation and talked about looking forward, not back. You can’t but help feel great sympathy for businesses reduced to piles of broken bricks, homes and the memories they hold being torn asunder, for residents such as those in Avonside who gathered 18 days after the fact to air their frustration at the lack of progress made putting their streets, homes and lives back together. To his credit, Bob Parker’s response was immediate and direct when he admitted more needed to be done to help those in need — something, considering the magnitude of the task at hand —that is probably considerably easier said than done. So we’ve put Bob under the spotlight; not because everything went right, or every decision made was the correct one, but because when crunch time came, you get the distinct impression he did all he could and quite frankly, that’s all you can ask of anyone. But no matter how positive your mood, our city is not what it was. We’ve lost some valued treasures. But what we’ve gained is further appreciation of what’s important; people not property and that our identity is intrinsically linked to our heritage. We’ve also gained opportunity, if we choose to seize it, and it is here we’ve firmly aimed this issue’s editorial sights. We look at how Christchurch can build its way out of the global recession’s lingering economic doldrums, at a forum airing ideas, the lessons business can learn and how to future proof yourself for the next inevitable roll of the cosmic dice. Because it is pure, simple resolve in the face of disaster where character is revealed — and on this score Canterbury stands on firm ground.

Jonathon Taylor EDITOR

Counting the cost of recovery By Kate Pierson

At 4.35am on September 4, 2010, the earth came to life and the seismic current of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rippled beneath a sleeping city. Eyes flew open, minds reeled and heartbeats accelerated as cortisol flooded through veins. Families dove under doorways and away from vulnerable structures and objects moving aggressively at the mercy of Mother Nature. Time stood still, literally, when the central Christchurch clocktower’s horological heartbeat stopped. As the tremors subsided, the consternation set in. Not fully able, or ready to absorb what had happened, some wandered dazed into the streets to survey their surroundings. Others, searching for information, advice and counsel, let their fingers do the walking, logging online in the search for answers. As the sun rose that morning, the deafening hush of a city in shock was only broken by the activity of Civil Defence forces evaluating the damage, the wail of emergency sirens and the live coverage broadcasts delivered via radio and television. An exhalation of relief followed from Christchurch city residents when it was reported no human life was lost. But as the documentation of the destruction became more comprehensive throughout the day, it was evident the loss of industrial and architectural infrastructure within some commercial and residential domains was significant.

With plans for demolition and reconstruction under negotiation, economists, local businesses and the government are number crunching. In an Economic Brief released by The Treasury on September 10, it was reported that economic impact and damage estimates are highly uncertain at this stage, but, needless to say, the earthquake has negatively impacted wealth and the total damages have been estimated at $4 billion. “This is based on an approximately $2 billion worth of damage to private dwellings and their contents, $1 billion of damage to commercial property and $1 billion worth of damage to public infrastructure — roads, sewerage, drainage etc. The Earthquake Commission (EQC) estimates their exposure, which relates to only insured private dwellings and their contents, to be in the $1 million to $2 billion range.” Treasury reported lost productivity and disruption to businesses and other services including education will also negatively impact on economic activity in the September quarter. The consequence will reduce New Zealand’s September quarter GDP by 0.4 percent. “This means that in the year September 2010, the annual level of GDP would be 0.1 percent lower than it would have been,” Treasury advised. “Despite the negative impact on GDP, we still expect GDP growth in the September quarter to remain positive.”

stronger growth is required to get back some of what we previously had. There is also likely to be a small upward impact on the rate of inflation given increased resource pressure, particularly in the Canterbury region. We have not qualified this impact.” Beyond the preliminary estimations, Treasury also maintains the current cost evaluations made about loss of production are fairly subjective due to the lack of hard economic data available at this early stage. Mayor Bob Parker discussed the future of Christchurch and its residents during an Earthquake Think-Tank held September 17, commenting: “The actual cost for ratepayers in the city we can manage without raising rates — we’ll have to reprioritise some of our capital projects to do that and some of the renewals we’ve budgeted for we can push to one side for awhile, because many of the things we were reviewing will be replaced anyway. “The picture is one of a very positive future for Christchurch city. Not only have we got a lot of money coming in, but we’ve got a unique chance to reposition ourselves in the minds of people around the country and the world.” For regular updates on the earthquake visit the Christchurch City Council website www.ccc.govt.nz

And while the true value of the quake incurred costs will not be known for a while and there is uncertainty associated with the projected speed and time of recovery, Treasury says the recovery phase will provide a boost to GDP growth of approximately 0.5 percent throughout the 2011 June year as a whole. “What we will be seeing is the economy working a bit harder to offset a reasonable amount of the welfare loss caused by the earthquake, i.e the

But like any tragic event, life goes on and with our local and central governing bodies at the helm, Christchurch has spent the weeks following the earthquake struggling to its feet. Like a phoenix from the ashes, it will be restored and revitalised.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 9

News | Recovery Moves

Rising from the rubble By Bridget Gourlay

Hard to imagine, but there is some good news from the September 4 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that devastated homes, ruined businesses and cracked streets across the city. The vast majority of the damage will be fixed. This means more jobs, more spending and therefore — more wealth for our currently rather fragile-looking city. While shaky business confidence and SMEs going under will sting the economy for the rest of the

year, economists are predicting overall, the earthquake will probably be positive for GDP over a longer period.

ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagsie says millions will be spent on fixing up our damaged region. “Estimates suggest anything from 2000 to 4000 homes will need to be demolished. Taking a mid-point of 3000 and assuming an average rebuilding cost of $200250,000 per unit (the majority of the affected suburbs are of below average values), you get to $600-750 million straight away. “On top of that you have core infrastructure, commercial property, broader repair jobs, home and contents insurance, and potential land reimbursement for those suburbs that are too unstable to support reconstruction as well.” So when will this shot in the arm to our economy be felt? ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says a lot of repair work has been going on since the earthquake, but the bulk of the construction will take place in 2011 for a period of 12 to 18 months. This is good news to a recession-hit sector. “This is happening at a time when construction as a whole is at quiet ebb,” Tuffley says. This means, for the construction industry anyway, there is the potential to build its way out of the recession. Builders, labourers, tradespeople, architects, civil engineers, building inspectors and roading people will all have plenty of work on their hands over the next few years. And so will those enjoying their spending, such as businesses in the CBD like dairies, cafés and shops. Kevin Everett, managing director of Building Recruitment, says the earthquake has been a “blessing for the industry,” but he is concerned the boom will be so huge people will get

desperate and hire “rogue type companies looking to make a quick buck. We’ve got to be careful here. It’s all well and good having a boom but if we don’t screen people and panic and rush to get things done it could create more problems long term,” he says. “I have concerns about the dodgy tradesmen who are seeing this as a cash cow. They will offer poor quality workmanship and go for quantity of jobs over quality of workmanship and I hope the Government local and national treat them the same as the police treat looters.” He thinks reputable companies should be given the first option for rebuilding projects.

Benefits for young people Everett says the construction boom couldn’t have come at a better time for apprentices, many of whom haven’t had the chance to finish training because of the lack of opportunities in the recession-hit sector. It should be compulsory for a contract of two or more years work to put a certain number of apprentices through. “This could save the industry long term.” Student Job Search marketing and communications manager Lorna McConnon, believes tertiary students will also benefit from the construction boom over the next few summers, the period last year that hit headlines because the recession meant a record number were out of work. “We are anticipating there would be an influx in requests for students in the Canterbury area as people start wanting to get things tidied up.” The volunteer clean-up work an estimated 2000 students took part in during the weeks after the earthquake prove they are a “resourceful, pragmatic bunch”.

Nationwide results Economist Nick Tuffley says some of this job creation could even happen outside of Canterbury. “Building materials will need to be manufactured, and this is highly likely to happen where factories are. It may create extra jobs in those industries, because companies may need to bring on more people.” He estimates that with the spin-offs to the wider economy, the construction boom could make up to 1.5 percent of GDP. But despite the boost to the construction industry, Canterbury region and possibly the nation, Tuffley emphasises the spending on construction doesn’t overcome the damage to tourism, business confidence and the destruction of SMEs. “While reconstruction is creating economic activity that wouldn’t be there, at the same time, disasters and wars aren’t good for economy. You wouldn’t be wishing for one — we have had wholesale destruction of wealth and we’d rather we didn’t have to spend to start with.”

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10 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

News | Recovery Moves

Initially cordoned off after the earthquake, Piko Wholefoods was soon back in business, thanks to strengthening work five years ago

“The flooring was tongue and groove which was like match sticks. While it unfortunately couldn’t be salvaged, it has been replaced with plywood which provides bracing for the building.”

Saving the standing By Melinda Collins

It’s a tectonic game of halves; nestled uncomfortably on a tectonic plate boundary in the Pacific ring of fire, our landscapes, landmarks and lives have been shaken up, quite literally, since New Zealand’s formation. It is perhaps not the most solid foundation on which to build a nation but, true to form, our Kiwi pioneers prevailed and their handiwork is evident in the ornate, character filled heritage properties which aesthetically stimulate our streetscapes today. But as witnessed by the recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake which tore through Canterbury, age and forces of nature mean many of our heritage buildings are at risk.

Heritage — at a price Earthquake strengthening and the techniques and legislation required to fend off the perils of shaking ground have been designed to safeguard and future proof New Zealand’s earliest built heritage. But they can be a challenge — and a costly one. While the social, aesthetic and tourism benefits are compelling reasons for protecting built heritage, the reality is that owners must face up to costs and regulations. Prior to the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, New Zealand had no building code. Since then there have been successive codes developing the structural performance criteria for buildings. However, meeting the requirements of the Building Act 2004 has been an issue for some

owners who have opted to pull down or neglect historic buildings. While subsidies from incentive funds are available, there is a heavy reliance on private capital to retain heritage buildings. Historic Places Trust board member and heritage advocate Anna Crighton says while it can be costly process, it is worth it. “The buildings which have been earthquake strengthened have come off relatively unscathed,” she says of the Christchurch earthquake. “The people who have invested in earthquake strengthening, it has proved well worth it for them.” Help is available through the Historic Places Trust and the Christchurch City Council for upgrading and earthquake strengthening historical buildings, she says. The heritage these buildings represent is irreplaceable. “These buildings are a tangible reminder to us of our past. They tell an architectural story, from the founding of our city in 1850 right through the various decades of our growth and prosperity,” Crighton says.

But earthquake strengthening was not only only part of the renovation which has allowed the building to remain intact. “We had repointing carried out. Without repointing, you can still lose part of your building in an earthquake, despite having earthquake strengthening.”

Piko Wholefoods Such is the case of the Piko Wholefoods building in Christchurch which, built in 1905, still stands with its red brick facade on the corner of Kilmore and Barbadoes Streets. Five years ago, the co-operative’s trustees initiated earthquake strengthening for the grade three historic building, Piko trustee Tineke Witteman says. “We invested in adding a huge concrete arch to secure the building, piles in the ground, metal rods to anchor the internal walls and hold it all together and the replacement of rotten windows and roof beams.

Repointing is the process of renewing mortar joints in masonry construction. Over time, weathering and decay causes voids in the joins between the bricks, allowing the ingress of water, which can lead to significant damage. When repointing it is essential the mortar has similar performance characteristics to the original, such as permeability, compressive strength and coefficiency of thermal expansion. “While the council assisted with the cost of repointing, the greater investment was from our own pockets. But having the work done has really saved our bacon.”

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www.christmascardsdirect.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 11

News | Recovery Moves

Recovery planning By Warren Johnstone

How well were Christchurch businesses prepared for the big one? Complacency about lack of perceived risk and procrastination has caught out many Cantabrian businesses. After all, historically our region had no record of major earthquakes or disasters and we were happily ignorant of the fact that a fault line lurked beneath us. When, after 16,000 years it decided to shift, our illusions were shattered. After more than a week climbing seven flights of stairs amid plaster shavings to get to into our Christchurch office, we at BDO Christchurch are a little bit fitter — and a lot wiser. Our expectations have changed, not just in terms of expecting the elevator and air conditioning not to work, but in terms of expecting the unexpected and planning for it. While we were one of the luckier businesses in that unexpected quake that struck Christchurch — it caught us short. We were not as well prepared as we could have been.

Even with its building being out of bounds, they were in a pre-planned offsite workplace and able to provide advice to their clients during a time of need. The lesson for every New Zealand business is that the force of nature is a very real and serious risk to be planned for. Developing a well-thought out disaster recovery plan is not something to put off — take my word for it.

Disaster recovery plan A good place to start is by considering how well your business would cope in a disaster; a worst-case scenario including destruction of your workplace along with data and systems. Based on lessons we have learned and on standard disaster recovery planning advice, the following are some of the essential elements in disaster recovery planning.

 Data and systems Planning around integrity and security of data and systems is essential. This includes defining which systems are most crucial to your business and ensuring that in a disaster, you have access to an offsite backup in the event of your main site/server being destroyed.

We lost access to our building for three days during which time we managed to service clients operating remotely and with support from the BDO New Zealand network — but for those three days we were seriously concerned about the security of our data and systems as our backup was stored in a safe onsite. That was lesson number one.

 Business interruption insurance

We were reminded that it is absolutely key to secure your client data and plan for offsite data access as part of disaster recovery planning — yet how many businesses around New Zealand would have this level of preparedness if disaster struck?

Ensure you set aside sufficient working capital in budgets to pay wages, creditors and running expenses for a reasonable amount of time following an event — this can range from one to three months. There are many Christchurch businesses that will not recover due to having run lean, mean operations that mean they now have nothing left to pay wages, creditors and expenses. Alternatively, you will need a good relationship with your bank manager to quickly utilise additional bank debt.

Some smart businesses were up and running at 8.30am on Monday, despite losing access to their workplaces — they had planned for a disaster and were able to fall back on a formal disaster recovery process that brought order to the chaos most Cantabrians were experiencing. That was lesson number two; you need a formal disaster recovery plan. One local law firm, for example, was operating first thing Monday morning from a motel.

12 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

A lot of local businesses are suffering major losses due to not having had business interruption insurance. They are having to negotiate with staff over wages along with struggling to pay rents and other expenses. The investment is one not to question.

 Cashflow

 Communication channels Your clients are likely to need help immediately so ensure you will be able to

communicate with them and your suppliers. I was receiving emails from clients at 8.30am Monday morning with such urgent questions as whether they were required to pay rent and wages with their building destroyed.

 Stock protection If your business holds stock this needs to managed before disaster strikes. Holding current stock at minimum levels and operating from safe and secure premises will help minimise losses.

 Staff contact list You will need to contact all staff to check that they are safe and to let them know if and when to come into work. So while it may seem obvious, it is important to ensure all staff members have offsite access to an up-to-date staff contact list — a further lesson we have learned. Many other businesses too were caught out and were unable to get hold of all of their people for several days due to lack of up-to-date contact information. Make use of your website to direct staff and clients and keep everyone informed of your current situation.

 Responsibilities Who is going to ensure your plan is put into action? Every plan, whether for a small or large staff base, should identify those responsible for managing its various components. The biggest lesson learned is that while we may plan for disaster, how seriously we take it and how well we do it is another matter. A comprehensive discovery plan takes time and investment but there’s no time to procrastinate. After all, Christchurch wasn’t even on a fault line until Saturday, September 4 at 4.35am. Warren Johnstone is managing partner with BDO Christchurch, part of the BDO New Zealand network of independent Chartered Accountant and Business Advisory member firms www.bdo.co.nz

News | Recovery Moves

Crisis control

“Each of us in our own way will have been touched by something and lost something. But we haven’t lost somebody and that is absolutely remarkable and that is worth remembering as we go through what is going to be a really hard time in the next few months for business.

By Bridget Gourlay

When it comes to natural disasters, arguably the most important thing is not the damage that’s done, but how we recover from it. Many Cantabrians showed their true colours after the earthquake. Sleep-deprived and nervous from the unrelenting aftershocks, we made donations to relief funds, de-silted our elderly neighbours’ backyards and baked cakes for those living in shelters. Like or loathe Mayor Bob Parker, the man showed leadership in his 20-hour working days after the earthquake. He toured the collapsed businesses. Walked the cracked streets. Spoke to the employers who have seen their livelihoods ruined in those fateful 40 seconds on September 4. But when he addressed a think tank of people from the business community in September, his outlook for Christchurch was unrelentingly positive.

“We don’t have the tourist numbers coming into the city and that drives a lot of businesses, the central city area, which has been finding it really hard in the current economic climate — we really had a lot of people hanging on by their fingernails, who survived last year, who thought this year was going to be better — and this year has still been a really really hard year. “There are issues around buildings — on one side there’s the desire to knock down, move on, build something up, on the other side, of course we want to protect our heritage and character, the things that shape the city and give the city so much of its appeal to all of us. “I had a visit from the new ambassador from China who was very keen to come down because he had an earthquake guy from the embassy and he wanted to bring this guy in and offer any help that we wanted. “He said to me something that really made me stop to think. He said, in all of the research and work that we’ve done in China and we’ve looked at every earthquake around the world and historical records and the rest of it, there’s never been an earthquake in a city of over seven of the Richter scale where there hasn’t been a significant number of people who have died and a huge amount of people who have been injured.

“So balancing all of these decisions is going to be one of the toughest decisions in the months ahead… “The way we can get through this is simply the way we got through that first week and a half. It is going to be about supporting each another. It is about thinking, it’s about ideas and sharing those ideas and realising that councils or the Government or anybody in the community doesn’t have the exclusive rights on ideas. “We’ve got to share them, we’ve got to work together, we’ve got to look after each other. And I want to look out for a second and see

the revival and the optimism that we should be able to hold in our hearts as well. “What’s really clear is, the scale of this event is enormous. Much bigger than we thought on the first day, much bigger than we thought on day three. “But the scale of the money that will flow into repair this city, to bring us back to a place that will be close to normality — and that will be some time away — is going to be significant as well, and within that there lays a significant number of opportunities. “What that really means for us is that in the short term, we will have a very hard time, but in the long term there will be a flow of capital into Christchurch which is going to be immense. “For many people there is a vision of in their head of nothing in Christchurch except wrecked buildings. The media do not want to show you a street of people going about normal life, they want to show crumpled buildings, broken cars and general chaos. And of course there are elements of all those things that are part of the story that has happened. “So the next challenge we face is, how do we take advantage of the massive raised profile of our city? Because there is a good side of that, because our ‘brand’ is out there, but the brand is associated with images of damage and destruction. “If we can shift that name association to a story of recovery and hope and optimism then I think we have an even bigger opportunity as a city to write our own future in a way we never have before.”

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 13

organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement • culture • structure • roles • leading the way • actions • skills • learning • career plans • education • scorecard • performance • communication • beliefs • vision • values • behavious • individuals • governance • decision making • creative marketing • social understanding • leadership styles • group dynamics • transformation projects • expectations • teams • people training • commitment • communication effectiveness • need for change • accurate strategies • management plan • bridging the gaps • understanding • benefits • strategy • upgrading scheme • personal counseling • organisation • leadership • outsourcing • capability • execution • improvement •

News Feature | Change Management

Strategic

dynamics

By Melinda Collins

We recognise change as the event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase, to another. It is a broad term which, by definition, infers neither negative or positive connotations, aside from those cast by the individual. At its very essence, change has perhaps the most pervasive influence over life itself; its presence is one of life’s few inevitabilities. But how does change play out in the corporate arena? Some organisations can handle it. Some can’t. But like it or not, change, and the ability to adapt to it, has moved from desirable skill to indispensable process.

Definition of change management In the corporate arena, the process of managing change is, quite aptly, known as change management. It is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams and organisations from a current state, to a desired future state. Put simply, change management is planned change. It has long been suggested that if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. However, as our understanding of change has developed, we have come to the realisation that constant change is a prerequisite to success, making ‘it’s not broke, fix it anyway’ a more apt adage when pertaining to business. Because, failure to change, is failure to adapt to the ever-changing needs of a global marketplace. And, as you sit and stagnate, you can be sure your competitors will be adapting and gaining themselves precious marketshare.

Importance of managing change “The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order.” Alfred North Whitehead. Change is simple by definition, yet complex by nature. It is the complexities involved in the change process which make change management one of the most important disciplines in any organisation. Successful adaptation is as crucial within an organisation as it is in the natural world. Just like plants and animals, organisations and the individuals in them inevitably encounter changing conditions they are powerless to control. The more effectively you deal with change, the more likely you are to thrive. Increasingly, an organisation’s ability to respond and adapt quickly, while providing increased stability in the midst of change, is a great leverage point for achieving sustainable competitive advantage. But this is not about predicting or riding trends; change needs to be deeper than that.

14 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Adaptation may involve establishing a structured methodology for responding to changes in the business environment (such as a fluctuation in the economy or a threat from a competitor) or establishing coping mechanisms for responding to changes in the workplace (such as new policies or technologies). Paulson on Change author Terry Paulson quotes an uncle’s advice. “It’s easiest to ride a horse in the direction it is going.” Quite simply, don’t struggle against change; learn to use it to your advantage. Once you know why change is needed, you then need a plan for getting from ‘where you are now’ to ‘where you want to be’. However, unchartered change territory without a map puts you at an immediate disadvantage. The map is the essence of change management. One of the first stages in charting the territory is to understand the type of change you wish to make. Quite simply, where you want to get to and how you plan to travel. Change management can be broken into three distinct categories; structural, behavioural and strategic change. Understanding which of these is necessary to your organisation is the first step to implementing a successful change management strategy.

Strategic repositioning We hear a lot about the role founders play in startup companies and the importance of corporate culture in developing organisations that survive and thrive for decades. There’s an unusual parallel between people and companies. People are a combination of DNA from their parents and their life experiences; likewise, companies are a blend of DNA from their founders and their experiences. But like people, companies can lose their way, going far afield from the DNA their founders imprinted on them. What happens then? Can you change a company’s DNA, or reinvent a corporate culture? In a nutshell the answer is yes. This method of change management is what has become known as strategic change. Strategic or institutional change is the conduct of drafting, implementing and evaluating cross-functional decision making that will enable an organisation to achieve its long term objectives. It is the process of specifying the organisation’s mission, vision and objectives, developing policies and plans, often in terms of projects and programmes which are designed to achieve these objectives, then allocating resources to implement the policies and plans, projects and programmes. It is how the organisation responds to these changes which determines its success.

Strategic change gone wrong In 1985 The Coca-Cola Company’s share lead over its chief competitor had been slowly slipping for 15 consecutive years. Consumer preference for Coca-Cola was dipping, so was consumer awareness. On April 23, 1985 Coca-Cola took arguably the biggest risk in the history of consumer goods, announcing the first formula change for the world’s most popular softdrink in 99 years.

It spawned extreme consumer angst. The ensuing public protests, boycotts and emptying of bottles in the street saw the company return to the original formula just 77 days after its introduction. Within six months after the brand reverted back to the old formula its sales had increased at more than twice the rate of Pepsi’s and by the end of the year, the company was back into the number one position it has enjoyed ever since. In the late 1990s, Sergio Zyman, the marketer behind the failed launch of New Coke summed up the experience. “Yes it infuriated the public, cost a ton of money and last only 77 days before we reintroduced Coca-Cola Classic. Still, New Coke was a success because it revitalised the brand and reattached the public to Coke.” In our own backyard, Cadbury replaced some of the cocoa butter in its chocolate products with palm oil in mid-2009. Despite stating this was in response to consumer demand to improve taste and texture, there was no “new improved recipe” claim placed on New Zealand labels. Consumer backlash was significant and by August 2009, the company announced it was reverting to the use of cocoa butter in New Zealand and would source cocoa beans through Fair Trade channels. Inside reports suggest the change to palm oil cost Cadbury New Zealand $12 million in sales. Palm oil is a contentious ingredient with reports blaming its plantations for huge contributions to global warming and intensive habitat destruction leading to the deaths of orang-utans in Indonesia and Malaysia. Cadbury managing director Matthew Oldham says the decision to go back to using only cocoa butter was in direct response to consumer feedback. “We genuinely believed we were making the right decision, for the right reasons. But we got it wrong. “Now we’re putting things right as soon as we possibly can, and hope Kiwis will forgive us. Cadbury Dairy Milk’s quality is what’s made it one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands for many years. Changing the recipe put that trust at risk and I am really sorry.”

Strategic change gone right Kellogg created All-Bran to the fibre sector of the cereal market in the 1930s and the product experienced steady growth throughout the years. After underspending its competition in marketing and product development, Kellogg’s US marketshare hit a low 36.7 percent in 1983. A prominent Wall Street analyst called it a “fine company that’s past its prime,” and the company was prompted to renew consumer interest. The company ran a three million pound campaign to urge consumers to re-appraise the products and pumped significant time and effort into market research. The result was identifying existing products which offered the best present and future prospects and the introduction of new products, including Just Right, which remains a popular cereal around the world. The company regained its marketshare and now stands as one of the world’s leading cereal producers.

News Feature | Change Management

Structural

necessities

By Bridget Gourlay

Change is a part of life, and for a business’ life it’s no different. As the economy shrinks, markets open or practise differs, companies sometimes have to restructure to remain viable and prosperous. But with restructuring comes a raft of problems, especially for the staff. As soon as they’re told there will be a restructure, the first thought is ‘Will I keep my job?’ followed by ‘If I do, will I lose the manager I like, my friendly colleagues, my most enjoyable tasks?’ Competition sets in as people vie for their jobs, or stop trying because they think they’ll be fired soon anyway. Bronwyn Anderson, registered psychologist and managing director of Change Dynamics, which specialises in proving support for businesses going through a change process, has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of re-structures. She shared some words of wisdom with us.

Do your research It sounds obvious, but restructures cannot be done on a whim. Since it can be a difficult process, make sure it’s worth it and is going to work. Anderson recommends finding examples to study. She also says that once a re-structure has been drafted, to take it to the staff. At a recent DHB restructure she was involved in, management consulted employees beforehand and modified the restructure slightly before implementing it because of the extra information and feedback they received.

Sell the change It is absolutely crucial that everyone understands why the business is restructuring and is on-board with the changes. “If people aren’t involved, or don’t feel heard, they don’t accept the outcome and can create continual resistance. Even when it’s all over, if people afterwards are not understanding why it happened, they don’t engage with the new direction,” Anderson says. She stresses that middle management must be sold on the change as much as other staff are. After all, if they don’t lead it enthusiastically, then they won’t win over their teams.

Be honest Rumour mills will abound when a re-structure is announced and the best thing for the leadership to do is be honest about what will be involved — even if its painful, like the possibility of redundancies. Anderson advises using the three Cs — consistent messages, clarity and communication.

case study: What The Auckland Museum restructured in 2008. It was recently reported 100 staff out of a roll of around 150 either resigned or were made redundant in the process. The union complained bitterly that employees were never clearly told why a restructure was necessary and leaks to the local newspaper

Anderson was working with a bank restructuring a long time ago, who told its employees there would be an application process, based entirely on merit, that everyone would have to go through. After a day of running a workshop with the staff, two people told Anderson they had been assured their jobs were safe. “That created a culture of distrust.” She says managers must get a reputation for honesty, to stop rumours from circulating. “If I know if I ask my manager they will tell me the facts, the likelihood of listening to these rumours decreases.”

Change for a reason Anderson says all restructures should change in line with company values and in line with the company direction. If a restructure happens because of problematic individuals, or because of poor performance, it will create the impression that an upheaval is happening because management can’t cope with those issues and are using a restructure as a smokescreen to get rid of employees they don’t want. Anderson says one government agency that recently restructured worked collaboratively with its staff the whole way through. The CEO got the company together and they developed values for everything, including the restructure, to be based on. The CEO was available to listen to anybody who wanted to talk and was honest about the whole process. One restructure should be sufficient for longterm aims. However, Anderson knows of a company that restructured three times in four months, with another one coming. “People get change-weary, give up, disengage and want to leave. They may not resign, but they leave in their head. Don’t put people through unnecessary pain. Confusion doesn’t get good outcomes.”

Make it snappy Anderson says one large government organisation told its staff half would lose their jobs after a restructure, which took over a year to implement. “This meant that for over a year staff didn’t know who was staying and who was going. “Productivity goes down, people can’t perform well under the stress and teamwork breaks down. People start looking after themselves and won’t help colleagues. Sad things happen, when people compete against friends and colleagues. People need a lot of support.” For more information visit www.changed.co.nz

not to do… were more like floods. The paper reported stories of staff in tears. The director left in April this year, after a number of controversies, including a dispute with the Hillary family over the papers Sir Ed left the museum.

don’t  Lie (especially over redundancies)

 Be honest  Be 100 percent sure the restructure is what you need

 Drag out the process

 Seek feedback from the whole company

 Restructure again soon afterwards

 Get everyone on board

 Ignore the staff

 Ensure managers are reliable sources to shut down rumour mills

 Remain tight-lipped so gossip spreads

 Keep social activities like Friday drinks going

 Restructure just to get rid of problem staff

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 15

News Feature | Change Management

Behavioural

factors

By Kate Pierson

We’re all familiar with the expression, ‘a leopard never changes its spots.’ It’s a saying based on the understanding that we are what we are. And while this may seem like somewhat of a philosophical revelation, fact is, the premise for this conviction lies in empirical truth. Within the fields of science and sociology (more commonly known as the study of human behaviour), long-term child development studies have explored the evolution of personality. As a lifetime companion and constant to the human condition, our personality is an inherent characteristic. It might not be something we can see or touch, but it is present in every person, everyday, in everything they do. A product of the genetic, environmental and social influences we are exposed to, personality is comprised of behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental attributes. And while our physical form is subject to significant aesthetic changes throughout our lifetime, many sociologists and scientists recognise Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic theory that our core personality is formed in infancy and remains with us as we move into adolescence. Director of AssessSystems, an Auckland based consultancy of organisational psychologists, Rob McKay, specialises in employee assessment for selection, development and performance management. McKay says that in order to build an organisation of people with the ‘right stuff,’ employers need to acknowledge and understand that personality is indeed paramount.

You are what you are It’s a hard professional pill to swallow when employers recognise they’ve introduced a problem personality into their organisation, but it’s a revelation that calls for accountability. Because while McKay says the instinctive reaction for many employers is to train their way out of a bad hire, fact is, “You can’t push a square peg into a round hole — it just won’t work”. As a manifestation of personality, behaviour within the workplace is one’s physical or emotional reaction to procedures, problems, people and pace of environment. In some instances, behaviour that is circumstantially induced can be modified or adapted with constructive intervention, or self- monitoring and discipline. But in situations where the wrong person has been hired for the job, attempts to change innate behaviour aligned with personality, seldom work and if they do temporarily, the personality will inevitably prevail and the

16 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

employee’s attempts to complete tasks which are not within their personal and professional range, will result in exhaustion, frustration and in some cases, aggression. In short, “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear,” McKay says. “Think of workplace behaviour as the design of the car — what it looks like. Not all cars are a dead giveaway to what’s under the bonnet. Many managers base hiring and succession planning decisions on the look of the car, that is, observed behaviour. Take away style and presentation and you get the essence of the person — his or her personality.”

Knowing what you’ve got Knowing what you’ve got when you’ve got it, is a life lesson that’s best learned fast and fundamentally, particularly in the professional arena. McKay says that while businesses develop more effect methodologies for recruitment, they also need to be more forthcoming to good performers. “Managers are very good at pulling people up, but not at positive reinforcement. Nine times out of ten, human resource managers are concentrating on the poor performers. What happens then is that the good performer feels undervalued and uncared for and is open to being snatched by the competition.”

Ultimately, being an employer is a game of two parts, which starts with the selection of the most suitable personality for your organisation. While many employers tend to focus on the fruits of the tree when recruiting, i.e, the employee’s knowledge, skills and experience, McKay says they neglect to evaluate what really counts — the roots of the tree — the candidate’s personality. “When looking to build an organisation of people with the ‘right stuff’, think personality. Volumes of empirical research prove this is the best approach. “It goes without saying that assessments undertaken when recruiting is not about knocking people out of the game — it is for the betterment of both parties — the employee and the employer. Ultimately, there is a job for everyone, it’s just about the right fit.” Like it or not, personalities cannot be changed, but how you are recruiting, can be. Personality tests based on five factor models can help managers determine who a person is and whether their personality will complement existing employees. For more information on personalities, behaviour and for suggestions on effective personality tests and recruiting practices, visit www.assess.co.nz

Motoring | Test Drive: Peugeot RCZ

The Peugeot RCZ wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk but how does it perform on the road? Tim Grey finds out.

Roadworthy In most areas of life there is nothing a Frenchman would least like to be than German. But for some reason, when it comes to cars, the French can’t help but pine for efficient Teutonic engineering with precision and common sense. Oh, sure, Citroen trades on its futurist concepts and love of left-field innovation, but as for Renault and Peugeot, they’ve produced some of the most bland Euro hatches and sedans of the last decade, all in the pursuit of making a Gallic Golf or a Parisian Passat. So when Peugeot hinted at a rival to the ubersuccessful Audi TT sports coupe earlier this year, my heart sank faster than the Rainbow Warrior. Once again, the French were going to try to be German and the result was not only going to be bland, but EU bland — that special level of blandness reserved for when the cultural lines of competing European nations are completely blurred beyond meaning.

restyling

of balance is slightly too far forward, like a Porsche Boxster. But in the flesh the RCZ is actually surprisingly petite and makes perfect sense from every angle. It puts the MkII Audi TT in the shade the way that current model makes its blocky predecessor look like a life-sized toy car. Looks, of course, aren’t everything. The coupe segment may be the one hairdressers like to frequent, but even here handling and ride count. The TT isn’t known for its dynamism on the road, despite the fact the range ($86,900 upwards) starts with a potent 155kW turbo under the bonnet, but the 245kW Nissan 370Z ($76,000-$81,000) is a more competitive driver’s car. Any fan of French action films will tell you, however, that when it comes to getaway cars its usually a Pug being driven by the men with Gitanes sticking out of their balaclavas.

Fortunately, I was wrong.

Peugeots used to be known for their ability to deliver precision handling dynamics, rather than precision diesel economy, and the RCZ grips the road and tackles corners in a way which harks back to the brand’s heyday.

The Peugeot RCZ certainly wouldn’t be in existence if it were not for the success of the TT, but beyond why it’s on the market, the RCZ couldn’t be any Frencher if it came with a free beret and a signature fragrance.

The RCZ employs “Inverted Pseudo” McPherson strut suspension front and back, all linked in to an anti-roll bar, and the results — combined with weighty, communicative steering — are magnificent.

Peugeot has taken real design risks with the RCZ and in the process re-discovered its flair for the first time since it decided to bin its famous GTi badge (which, no surprises for guessing, is now set for a return). Its double-bubble roof is so unique to be instantly iconic, while its perfectly formed rear is so sublime it makes up for what can look like a rather bulbous nose.

Of course, on New Zealand’s roads, such flat-stanced control can translate into a bumpy ride, but find a long stretch of winding road as I did on the way to Akaroa and the experience is sublime.

In pictures that nose can make the car look too big and busy up front, almost as if the centre

The RCZ hasn’t got the same firepower as the TT, instead using a smaller 1.6 litre turbo petrol which produces 115kW at its 6000rpm peak. Don’t go thinking you’ll see benefits at the other end, though.

With a claimed combined economy average of only 7.3L/100km the RCZ is also not as economic as the base TT. Calling the lightweight RCZ under-powered, though, is inaccurate, especially as it can do the 0-100kmh dash in a highly respectable nine seconds. In fact, the only thing which held back my test model from throwing itself into every corner with gusto was its six-speed automatic, which tended to be too grabby for my tastes. To get the most out of the RCZ I’d opt for the six-speed manual. Intriguingly, both are priced at $64,990 to undercut the competition, but Peugeot hasn’t skimped on specification to maintain its margins. Sound insulation could be better — although it is certainly not as bad as the 370Z. The interior is awash with extra elements, from full-leather upholstery and electrically adjustable and heated front seats to hands-free bluetooth capability and dual zone climate control. Where Peugeot might be saving its pennies, however, is in the car’s conversion to the righthand-drive market. Until the media volume controls were discovered behind the bluetooth stalk, hidden itself behind the steering wheel, reaching the radio in the centre console was a bit of a stretch — the console definitely felt angled towards the front passenger. But overall Peugeot has resisted the urge to make the RCZ as spartan as its price tag, with the most intriguing feature having to be the button for the active rear spoiler. Press it and the smooth lines of the boot up-end into a slim downforce device. As its name suggests, it is an automatic feature which activates at speed anyway, but for me it epitomises the playful individualism of the RCZ — like the rest of the car it provides real flair. www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 17

machines

Living | Today By Bridget Gourlay

products ssa S9 O

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Z5 Vi

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e D O M O b a r Su

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Su nbeam Café Latte

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Jura Impre

I hate to think what office productivity statistics would look like if coffee were banned for a week. Certainly this magazine wouldn’t be printed, as we are proud to continue the time-honoured journalistic tradition of caffeine addiction. I went on a mission to find the best coffee machines and coffee to fill them with. For the home or office, for those on a budget or those who want to splurge on the shiniest and fanciest machine out there — here they are.

M i c ro b a r

Vibiemme DOMObar Super

De Long h

i N e sp

resso Lattissima

Jura Impressa S9 One Touch Your coffee-loving employees will love the Jura Impressa S9 One Touch and will love you for getting it. Gone are the days of a choice between black or white coffee, this machine makes both cappuccinos and latte macchiatos. Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $3999

Microbar by Nuova Simonelli

Jura Impressa Z5

I could talk about how compact and easy to use the Microbar by Nuova Simonelli is, but really the selling point is it uses fresh milk and fresh coffee beans, ensuring that the end product tastes just like a coffee you would get in a café.

Sleek, simple and Swiss-made, this machine has fancy technology but isn’t in your face about it. For example, its active bean monitoring system gets rid of empty coffee grinders and half-empty coffee cups because it tells you in good time when you need to refill the bean container.

Available: www.coffeesystems.co.nz or through their showroom in Mays Road, Onehunga RRP: $4485

beans

Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $3210

DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima This machine is a steal at only $744. It may be relatively inexpensive but it uses fresh milk (not powdered) and the Nespresso capsule system, so it’s easy to use. And while it might cost well under a grand, it doesn’t look cheap. Available: Harvey Norman RRP: $744

Sunbeam Café Latte The bargain basement price doesn’t mean there’s no frills to this machine. Its LCD indicator tells you the status of the water temperature and the best time for coffee making or creating steam for texturing milk.

Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $4999

Available: Harvey Norman RRP: $249

Upshot

Coffee staff have travelled to Columbia, Peru and Ethiopia to meet the growers they buy from.

Upshot was introduced to me by a friend who I have known for ten years and have never seen go longer than a few hours without a cup of coffee, so I took her word for it that it was good. After one sip I was as hooked as she was. Upshot uses only fair trade organic beans, roasted daily in their small premise in Heathcote, Christchurch. Tangy and strong, you will smell this coffee as soon as you pick up the bag. Available: www.fairtradeorganiccoffee.co.nz RRP: $10 for 250 grams

People’s Coffee Sold in every so-trendy-it-hurts café in Wellington, People’s Coffee is as unique as it is delicious. For them, fair trade is more than a logo — the People’s 18 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Really impress your friends with this Italian coffee machine by making them hot drinks that seems like they’re from a café. With a steam wand so you can make lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates.

Available: www.peoplescoffee.co.nz RRP: $10-$11 for 250 grams

C4 Another Christchurch roastery punching above its weight with sharp, tangy and delicious offerings. Buy single blends or their special creations. I highly recommend Krank for the perfect espresso. Available: www.c4.co.nz RRP: $9 for 250 grams

Living | Today By Kate Pierson

Gadget The Kymera Wand The cardinal rule of the world of witchcraft and wizardry has been broken with the introduction of gadgetry to the “muggle” world. And while the relic prophecy of the magic land warns that muggles and magic should never mix, it seems the two worlds are colliding with the invention of the Kymera Wand, a buttonless gesture-based universal remote control.

eclectic essentials

lifestyles

Delivered via a wand-shaped black box lined in silk brocade, the instruction manual has the antiquated look of potions parchment and while there may be nothing superstitious about the motion detection software embodied in the Kymera, the technological magic that takes place between the buttonless remote and the mediums it has been designed to interact with has a mystifying effect.

Destination Global Gypsies

The Kymera is intuitive, understanding 13 different movements or “gestures”, each of which can learn and replay the remote control function from any button on almost any existing infra-red remote control. The wand is a bit of a control freak too, but in a good way, as users can also negotiate remote-controlled light switches and curtains. Available: www.giftbob.co.nz RRP: $129

Do you want to get in touch with your inner wild child? Well abandon your schedules and inhibitions and let tour operators Global Gypsies be your guide.

Toy

Traverse the historic Holland track on a 4WD cut through virgin bush in south eastern Western Australia (WA) by bushman John Holland more than a century ago. The 500 kilometre track was developed in 1893 when the glitter of gold attracted prospectors seeking their fortune.

When the surfboard was introduced to the sea, humans learned to walk on water. Well, kind of. At the very least, the advent of the sea skimming surfboard provided us mere mortals with a platform to become one with Mother Nature and explore the pathways of the ocean. Problem is, that while the dynamics of surfing have been revolutionised with refined designs, there’s yet to be a surfboard feature devised for those suffering from maladroit syndrome (aka clumsiness) so they too can enjoy riding the waves — until now.

Experience a free bush skills seminar, 4WD practise, a poetry evening with professional poet Bill Gordon and visit John Holland’s grave in Coolgardie. A sky blanketed with stars will provide the backdrop for the conclusion as a white-linen candlelit bush dinner awaits on the last evening. Available: Tours held annually. Book at admin@globalgypsies.com.au RRP: $869

Top Drop Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009 This palate-tempter is quite a fruity character and, with a balanced power and richness, the Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009 is the winner of multiple Air New Zealand Gold Awards. It is a most compatible companion with Bluff oysters for a match made in culinary heaven. If the Eradus’ racy acidity is not enough to get your pulse going, pairing it with the aphrodisiac oyster surely will. Available: www.eraduswines.co.nz RRP: $17.99

Tool Dyson DC26 It’s a mighty but mini mess remover that validates the theory appearances can be deceiving. A space saver with a tough demeanour, the Dyson DC26 is compact yet aggressive on mess. With a footprint smaller than an A4 piece of paper, this hand-held wonder combines 275 parts which were re-engineered by Dyson specialists to miniaturise the technology while maintaining the performance of a full size vacuum. And while nobody likes a suck up, the DC26 is a welcomed exception to this rule. Featuring a condensed version of Dyson’s patented Radix Cyclone technology, it spins dust and dirt out of the air using centrifugal forces. Better yet, you can breathe easy with this user friendly domestic companion, as every component in the sensitive DC26 is engineered so allergens are retained.

The Zurf

Mastering the delicate art of feet and arm synchronicity in order to remain perpendicular on a surfboard is a thing of the past thanks to the Zurf, a surfing for dummies mode of transport. A cousin of the Zorb, the Zurf is a 3m x 3m inflatable cylinder that can accommodate three big kids (adults) or four or five children safely. It’s a flexible force as a companion to land and water. Available: www.zurf.co.nz RRP: $7537. Accessories an additional cost

Bauble Patek Philippe Watches These baubles will ensure you always have time on your hands. As experts in horology, Patek Philippe watches are practical indulgence; designed for the discerning ladies and gentleman, or those who just dare to dream. The ladies Patik Philippe watch face is cocooned in an 18ct gold diamond set case and features a mother of pearl dial and black alligator strap. The male counterpart is also dressed in 18ct gold and has two sapphire sides to its perfect personality. With a grey arabic numeral dial, small seconds, moonphase and a pointer date, this masculine model embodies a Réserve de Marche — a power reserve indicator. Available: www.jewelwatch.co.nz RRP: Women’s Patek Philippe $49,000. Men’s Patek Philippe $62,000.

Available: www.dyson.co.nz RRP: $699

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 19

Events | Diary tending to your business

Viewpoint | Management

events

Tuesday, October 12

Claim Your Pitch — The Knowledge Gym

Learn how to create real connections, abandon control, be real and create true engagement with customers, clients and co-workers. Harness natural energy and that of those around you and take your sales to the next level of success. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

Wednesday, October 13

Network After 5 — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce

This networking event provides members two hours of uninterrupted networking, an opportunity to interact with other members and talk about your products and services to other businesses. To register contact Angela Rolton (03) 366 5096 or email angelar@cecc.org.nz

Tuesday, October 19

Incite — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce

A one-day event designed to educate, inspire and motivate while challenging the traditional way of doing business. Contact Karyn Spencer (03) 366 5096 or email karyns@cecc.org.nz

Wednesday, October 20

Governance Essentials — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

Gain a sound understanding of the basics of governance, including involvement on a trust, board or a small company or incorporated society. To register visit www.nzica.com

Wednesday, October 20 to Thursday, October 21 Chairing the Board — Institute of Directors

Preparing directors for the challenges of chairmanship, this course uses realistic simulated company situations and interactive discussion from the floor. To register visit www.iod.org.nz

Wednesday, October 27

Building Breakthrough Brands — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Fast-track brand building activities by understanding what makes a successful brand. To register contact Angela Rolton (03) 366 5096 or email angelar@cecc.org.nz

Thursday, October 28

Export After 5 — Export New Zealand

An organisation run by exporters for exporters, locally sharing experiences with export peers. Network with other business leaders. To register visit www.exportnz.org.nz

Thursday, October 28

Goal Setting — Valde Training Group

A short, sharp and to the point no-obligation workshop to learn a revolutionary step-by-step method for clarifying and setting goals. To register visit www.vtg.co.nz

Thursday, October 28

The Culverden Christmas Country Fete

With 200 stalls, 50 being new to the fete this year, plus Whisky Galore and Waitaki Ham and Bacon in the demonstration tent, it bodes well for a festive day. Jo Seagar has created a pre-paid picnic lunch which will be served in the garden. www.thefete.co.nz

Monday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 10 Advanced Skills Mediation Workshop — Leader NZ

A three day experiential learning workshop with a mediation overview from Judge Peter Boshier, Principal Family Court judge, to offer specialist training for practitioners who hold Leard NZ accreditation. To register visit www.leader.co.nz

Tuesday, November 16

Contractual Terms for Exporters — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Gain a better understanding of your contract and in particular, the areas you need to cover when negotiating contracts with customers overseas. To register contact Angela Rolton (03) 366 5096 or email angelar@cecc.org.nz

Saturday, November 20 Speak Confidently — Valde Training Group

Packed with tools, training and evaluations which will empower you to stand up and speak with confidence in an engaging and effective manner, this workshop is an interesting mix of presenter training, small group exercises and tips to give you confidence speaking. To register visit www.vtg.co.nz

Wednesday, November 24

Effective Audit Committees — Institute of Directors

The aim of this course is to help existing directors to get the most out of the audit committee and ensure it is set up to achieve the board’s objective. To register visit www.iod.org.nz

Tuesday, November 30 Taxation Special Interest Group — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

The target demographic of this group is any member who may be involved in taxation matters, in particular the preparation of annual tax returns. The group will be convened by the Deloitte and KPMG taxation teams. To register visit www.nzica.com

Tuesday, December 7

Live out Loud — The Knowledge Gym

Reconnect to the energy and emotional layers that really drive performance and success. Discover how to work with group dynamics and to create an environment in which people can be the best they can be. To register visit www.theknowledgegym.com

Wednesday, December 8

Export Canterbury Breakfast Series — Export New Zealand

The Export Breakfast Series features presentations from internationally successful NZ business people and overseas business leaders with regional and industry experience. For more information contact Angela Rolton (03) 366 5096 or email angelar@cecc.org.nz

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 20 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Good business needs the human touch By Julia Osselton

Networking should be a major part of any marketing plan. That’s because it gives your business a face and allows you to develop credibility with potential clients or even future strategic partners. Networking is defined as a form of socialising that has a specific agenda or objectives. Everyone is looking for either new clients, or others to work alongside in a way that can benefit both businesses. Research shows that personal interactions between people are the best way for others to learn about your business. They get to understand who you are, what you do and your ethics and values. This creates credibility that may not only lead to a business relationship with each person you meet, but also their entire networks through referrals. Without meeting you, people are unlikely to refer you to other contacts. Networking comes in many forms. Online networks are far less personal than face-toface options. For this reason they tend to be less successful. While some people get great results from Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, many find it time consuming and resulting in few rewards.

speaker. They have the opportunity to network before and after the main event. One issue here is people often talk about things unrelated to business because there is less structure. They can also be difficult for those new to the scene. People who know each other tend to stick together, while others are left out. A good option for them and established business people is the recent phenomenon of speed networking, where 20 or 30 people come together for an event. They get a set amount of time with each person one on one. They promote their products before hearing from the person they have just pitched to. They then move onto the next person. This way, everyone benefits equally and there is no time lost with pleasantries. There are many networking opportunities available for businesses. One point I must make is the importance of preparation. You must plan your pitch in advance, remembering to make it simple to understand and within the given time period. You won’t be disappointed.

The most well known types are the formal and informal groups. With formal groups, people usually pay an annual subscription and meet weekly. During the meeting they get a set period of time to present to the group. This can start from as little as one minute and can be daunting for introverts. Networks like this can be beneficial for those who work alone and like to have a support network around them. The only problem for many is the faces are always the same, which can make it difficult to expand their networks. The more informal groups are another alternative. These usually involve people coming together for an event like a guest

Julia Osselton is managing director of Networking NZ, a Christchurch-based, national speed networking company. For more information visit www.networkingnz.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 21

News

war Working at

It’s a rave — not a rant In the hours after the event of early morning September 4, my mind raced with thoughts of where to start and what to do next. When I confirmed all was OK at home, I had to focus on the office… every possible scenario went through my head. Subsequently a back-up plan was put in place in the event we got a notice other than green. Turns out we didn’t need the back-up plan, the notice was green with superficial damage, clean-up and minor repairs around the building that needed attention. This experience has — without a doubt — turned my rant into a rave. I did have a rant written, which has been published in our other magazines (read it at www.magazinestoday.co.nz). However, this edition of Canterbury Today deserves a rave! As I listed the work that needed doing, contacted the contractors and decided on services required to get ourselves back up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible, the thought crossed my mind… here we go, they’ll charge through the nose. We had all heard stories about people pulling down chimneys for more than $1400 and for a fleeting moment I thought we’d be stung. I was wrong. I’m so proud to be a Cantabrian and extremely grateful for the relationships we have with service providers and associates, many of who were facing similar situations. Not one of their accounts has been accelerated — normal charges have applied with no excessive call-out fees. In fact, many seem to be doing it for a pat on the back or a chocolate fish from my now not-so-secret stash! Here’s the people I need to rave about:  Ollie and the team at SNAP for assisting with the back-up plan  Server Technology Ltd and Magnum Mac for getting the network back up and going and putting the server back where it should be  Jared from ElectraCraft, Pete from Enviroplumb, the team at Williams Hickman Electrical and Richard Harris Property Maintenance — all for your prompt, accommodating and efficient service — along with Compliance Fire Protection. I can’t count how many times you’ve been in the building these past few weeks  JustWater for dealing with the water coolers  Our printers around the country — Kalamazoo WyattWilson, APN, Guardian Print and PMP for flexibility with print schedules and more. And last but not least the staff, managers and their sales teams, contractors and everyone in our Academy family, for taking the stairs when the lift was out of action, for taking the lift when there was no access to the stairs, for working around the workmen and their paint brushes and glue guns, for putting up with the after shocks, for all your hard work and determination to get our schedules back on track. A number of Academy family members have had their worlds turned upside down, yet bravely kept smiles on their faces and positive attitudes — you are an inspiration to the rest of us! I feel better for raving with nothing at all to rant about. In the grand scheme of things Rebecca’s Rant would be worthless in a region that has nothing but praise for its volunteers, friends, family, neighbours, service men and women and leaders who have guided us through these past weeks. Go Canterbury! 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

By Kate Pierson

Freedom of association is not an expression many naturally associate with the work environment. And while the reality of a productive office demands civility, discipline and co-operation, there’s no doubt there are many of us that can recount occasions when, behind the façade of a ‘diplomatic’ smile, we have entertained quiet thoughts of tearing our, or our colleague’s hair out, in order to soothe building frustrations.

hours every week dealing with conflict, Harris and Crothers prepared a study via an online questionnaire. Participant involvement was facilitated with support from the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

Conflict in the workplace is by no means a contemporary issue. In fact, the fragility of relationships between colleagues around the world has long been studied under the industrial psychology microscope. From these investigations, two paradigms of workplace conflict have emerged — latent (when the conflict is felt, but not expressed), and active (where the conflict is obvious and specific, verbally or non-verbally).

“Forty-four percent of respondents reported 0-50 minutes of latent conflict each week compared with 50 percent reporting 0-50 minutes of actual conflict. Forty-four percent also reported 50-150 minutes of latent conflict each week compared with 30 percent reporting 50-150 minutes of actual conflict.”

Classifications aside, whether the conflict is public or surreptitious, the result of antagonism or direct bullying, grievances between men, women, or representatives from both sides of the great gender divide, are costing our businesses — literally.

Catalysts for conflict It’s no secret that ambition runs high in the workplace, but the classic pyramid structure of the traditional business institution means it’s unlikely everybody’s goal of climbing the organisational ranks will be realised. So when an opportunity to move up in the professional world is at stake, existing recruits can feel territorial with the arrival of fresh faces, or they may have a bee in their bonnet over a conflicting opinion. What results is employees abandoning their workplace etiquette and resorting to high school politics. Like it or not, the reality is most workplaces are comprised of leaders and followers and the commanding hierarchy or matrix management models present within organisations, means there are few chiefs and many Indians. In the April 2010 report Dealing with Conflict in New Zealand Workplaces by Andrew Harris and Charles Crothers from the Department of Social Sciences at the Auckland University of Technology, the authors acknowledge that workplaces breed conflict. “What makes the workplace such a ‘ripe breeding ground’ for conflict is that there are more sources of conflict in the workplace than in others areas of our lives.” In response to workplace conflict research conducted and published in the CPP Global Human Capital Report in 2008, which found that full-time employees across nine countries in America and Europe spend approximately 2.1

22 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Survey results revealed that, “Fifty percent of respondents reported 0-50 minutes of destructive conflict each week and 30 percent reported 50-150 minutes. Of the time engaged in latent versus actual conflict, Harris and Crothers found that similar amounts of time are spent on latent conflict as are spent on actual conflict.

Burying the hatchet As well as productivity loss, the financial costs imposed on a company and the emotional cost to employees, spell out all the reasons why workplace conflict needs to be addressed and resolved. Because while extroverted and introverted employee types ensure diversification within an office, when unique identities are not complementary to each other, the personality clash between these individuals can rock the democratic foundations on which the workplace has been built. Personnel Psychology NZ Limited director and registered industrial psychologist, Keith McGregor says nine times out of ten the underlying driver behind dysfunctional or aggressive employee behaviour is fear. “Managers that are difficult to work with often have a fear of failure and making mistakes. They are perceived as micro-managers, when in fact it is that need to feel in control that is a part of their personality, but is interpreted by the employee as a lack of trust,” he explains. In order to bury the hatchet when it comes to conflict, or avoid employing personalities that are likely to challenge each other negatively, McGregor offers four key ideas:

How to bury the hatchet  Practise listening skills

People very seldom engage with good, reflective listening skills and some employees have a tendency to talk across each other. Conflict can arise from a breakdown in communication, or when employees feel they are not being heard or are misunderstood. Good listening skills are a must for all employees.

 Remember, people don’t complain about things they don’t care about

When employees voice concern or frustration, McGregor says often they are revealing the values and morals that are important to them. Recipients of voiced concerns need to stop and reflect and ask themselves if they are preventing someone else’s values being achieved.

 The other person is not always the problem

Understanding how the subconscious works is often a part of understanding conflict. Sometimes conflict arises as a result of the way we talk to ourselves about how others perceive us, which may provoke unsubstantiated concern and worry. Rewiring the brain on how we talk to ourselves is helpful for overcoming this.

 Picking the right person

A recipe for conflict can be brewed right in the preliminary stages of an employee’s recruitment when competency based interviews are conducted and employers neglect to assess the attitudes of a potential candidate and whether these will be complementary to existing staff members. McGregor says it is important for employers to remember how one person in a team with behavioural manifestations, or personality disorders that affect one percent of the New Zealand population, can have a significant effect on those around them. In his, “I can’t work with that idiot!” presentation made during an HRINZ conference, McGregor elaborates on point three ‘the other person is not always the problem’, explaining how the subconscious can be reprogrammed. “The only reason we behave the way we do is because of neural pathways in our brain. These are formed over our lifetime and we come to see them as who we are. But the brain is ‘plastic’, it is constantly changing… so, if I start to repeat ‘I love working with Fred’, my brain begins to weaken the existing nerve connections and form new pathways. “As a result I develop different feelings towards Fred, he ceases to be seen as a ‘threat’, my stress levels start to drop and I gain access to the full power of my subconscious mind. Ideas begin flowing and before I know it, working with Fred becomes a breeze.” There’s no debate that debate in the office breeds professional dysfunction and is not conducive to a productive workforce — a critical catalyst for company growth and success. Fact is, an unresolved grievance is selfsustaining and self-defeating and can result in ongoing absenteeism, a high staff turnover and financially draining training costs when disgruntled employees resign. For advice on resolving conflict in your office contact an industrial psychologist or the Employers and Manufacturers Association through www.ema.co.nz

News

Pardon the interruption

By Kate Pierson

When someone’s accused of being distracted, it’s usually done with a negative connotation. Deemed the arch nemesis of employers and the antithesis of productivity, a distraction is considered a monopoliser of time and only leads employees astray. Aligned with the practice of procrastination, distraction in the form of objects, people, or practices that induce wandering eyes and minds, are considered breeders of bad habits. Not helping is that the digital age has delivered distractions like never before and the ensuing war to eliminate distractions from the workplace, with the front line being filters, blocks and bans, has led to one definitive conclusion — distractions are a bad influence. But are they?

Are distractions really the workplace pest employers make them out to be? Or are some distractions the essential path to creativity; a subconscious reboot before another burst of inspiration? Some would argue it all depends on the job and that quantity driven positions, like data entry that demand a consistent pace for maximum results, are an entirely different ball game to creative vocations like writing or graphic design that require time for brainstorming and reflection. A survey released by Australian Recruitment Firm Robert Walters has outlined the top five office distractions that disrupt the harmony of a productive workforce. In association with organisational psychologist Michael O’Driscoll, we’ve dissected these distractions and elaborated on them further, exploring the pros and cons. Of the gathering interest in this topic, O’Driscoll says “There does appear to be greater pressure at work these days and a greater need for efficiency and effectiveness. This is happening at the organisational level and obviously filters down to the individual level. Put simply, organisations need to be more productive and efficient in order to survive and hence they require their employees to ‘up their game.’ “I suspect the ‘distractions’ mentioned in this survey have always been considered a problem, although obviously the technology related ones are more recent. But perhaps now they are perceived to be an even greater problem because of the need for higher productivity and efficiency.” Ultimately, O’Driscoll says it is important to enable individuals to exercise a degree of autonomy and control over their work time and efforts to encourage people to feel engaged with their work and take ‘ownership’ of their job performance. “Excessive monitoring and rules can lead to feelings of disengagement from work and ultimately alienation. The issue is how much personal control is appropriate, given the roles and responsibilities of the individual,” he explains.

Personal emails and internet browsing

Social networking websites

Some employers view workplace resources such as email and internet to be a necessary evil. They harbour concern these modes of interaction and communication may be abused and promote time wasting instead of being treated as a professional tool and, perhaps, privilege.

These have an addictive quality and while many companies have implemented bans on social networking websites, other organisations are embracing them as a way to communicate with consumers.

Other employers understand the key to a consistent work ethic means ‘everything in moderation’ and therefore have more relaxed rules around personal use of these mediums. O’Driscoll says there is even some evidence that cyber-loafing such as surfing the net can actually be beneficial for workers. “As long as it is not excessive, it might give them a break from a monotonous or tedious task they are performing,” he says.

Smoking breaks Smoking campaigns have rendered this habit an unhealthy one and, according to the Australian distractions survey, the consumption of nicotine in the workplace is considered detrimental not only to the health of the employee but also to the health of the organisation they work for. Some would argue that smoking and the choice to smoke is a fundamental right. And while there is no direct correlation between the act of smoking itself and enhanced or decreased productivity, some might argue that smoking breaks interrupt the momentum of an employee’s progress, while others would say prohibiting sporadic ‘smokos’ will result in increased stress and broken concentration.

Personal calls and text messages In today’s technological climate, the presence of personal communication devices in the workplace is an inevitability. There’s no right or wrong verdict on this ‘distraction,’ because how appropriate it is to be sending or receiving messages or making personal calls at work depends on the nature of the business and its personal views on the matter.

It’s difficult to definitively adjudicate whether an employee’s use of a particular social networking domain is detrimental to their productivity and again the appropriateness of them doing this during work hours depends on the views of the organisation. If a company benefits from an online presence, having staff interact with consumers via these digital environments may be a bonus. But for an organisation that thrives on concentration and consistency may find productivity and an uninhibited access to the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Bebo, just don’t mix.

Talkative chatterbox colleagues If compatible personalities co-exist in an open plan office, chances are the discourse in the workplace will at times stray from the professional dialogue fostered and expected by the employer. Furthermore, there’s a fine line between positive social interaction and unproductive conversation. “Talking with one’s colleagues fulfils important social needs, as well as possibly conveying important job-related information, but excessive chatter might be dysfunctional,” O’Driscoll comments. “For instance, at work there is sometimes a belief that too much informal interaction with work colleagues can distract a person from focusing on their actual specific work tasks. “Sometimes, however, a distraction can be beneficial.”

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News

Beating the By Melinda Collins

It starts with a fleeting visit and can end with just as much haste — and be a complete disaster. In the world of customer loyalty, the reputation you have worked so hard to uphold can be tarnished almost as quickly as you can say, “the money back guarantee doesn’t apply in this case”. And adding potential insult to injury is Facebook, Twitter and other social websites (vehicles of freely accessible positive promotion), which can work against you just as freely and easily. The lesson to learn is — viewing the communication accessibility of the internet through a rose coloured perspective won’t do you any favours in the customer complaints realm. While laws like the Defamation Act 1996 work to protect businesses from having reputations tarnished by disgruntled customers, the free and uninhibited world of cyberspace has dressed personal opinions in a veil of anonymity and called it freedom of speech. The ease at which the internet allows dissatisfied customers to yell from their online soapbox means it’s easy to hold a corporate grudge, and with a few keystrokes, inflict a good amount of damage. But does it matter? There are, after all, millions more consumer fish in the corporate sea.

backlash Well it does, and the longer the customer’s association with your business, the more it matters. Research shows that the stronger the relationship, the stronger the grudge when the relationship sours. Researchers Yany Gregoire, Thomas Tripp and Renaud Legoux delved into the phenomena of relationship strength on customer revenge and avoidance in the Journal of Marketing last year. The results make for interesting reading. They discovered a company’s best customers have the longest unfavourable reactions, their wish for revenge dissipates more slowly and their avoidance increases more rapidly than that of customers with weak relationships. On the bright side, they discovered that customers with stronger relationships are more amenable to even a modest level of recovery attempt and not necessarily a more expensive attempt. Customers of low relationship quality in the study, on the other hand, required expensive, high recovery attempts. With 25 years of successful managerial experience, Deborah Law-Carruthers has developed and presented a variety of customer service workshops. The customer service afficionado was involved with the advisory panel for the design of the retail unit standards for NZQA and a judge for the NZ Retail Association Top Shop awards. She now facilitates and presents Managing Customer Complaints, an EMA course designed to assist businesses in dealing with the unfortunate reality of disgruntled customers.

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When it comes to the commercial battlefield, Law-Carruthers says it’s important not to go in all guns blazing. You may save the present sale, but lose the life value of the customer. “Businesses forget the long term effect and deal too much in the now. There are also businesses that do not use these experiences as opportunities to see how they could improve or review a policy that is not ‘customer friendly’.” Customer complaints must be appropriately dealt with, or the results can be disastrous. “Customers seem to get frustrated by the lack of information or training that some customer service staff have. “I also believe that organisations who are making the customer ‘do all the work,’ for example, make the customer ring back because the manager is not available, need to fix that behaviour in their business. All they are doing is adding to the frustration the customer is already experiencing.” This makes it important to ensure all front line staff are able to efficiently and accurately deal with these situations. “Customers perceive the complaints process to be a difficult one, so anytime we can have informed staff dealing with a complaint who have the authority to offer solutions and send the customer away happy, is a great outcome,” she says. “While we need to have our standard policies and procedures, such as proof of purchase, one of the best things we can do for a customer is to try and give them a couple of solutions to

Do ... Listen and don’t interrupt Take notes (but explain to the customer if in a face to face situation why you are doing this) Confirm your understanding of the situation back to the customer and ask if there is anything you might have missed or not got right Tell the customer what you can do — preferably at least two options. Be focused on dealing with the problem Be gracious, polite and apologise.

Don’t ... Make customers repeat their issue more than once Tell the customer what you can’t do Make the customer feel like it’s their fault (which it might be, but don’t remind them) Don’t forget to apologise. their problem. Complaints can escalate if you tell them only one thing can be done, take it or leave it. If you tell them you can do ‘A’ or ‘B’ and what would they like, then the customer will feel like they have a choice in the decision making process.” Customer complaints, she says, can be an important business tool, if used correctly. “Dealing with complaints efficiently and with a ‘customer focused’ approach can also reduce workplace stress and increase job satisfaction as it creates a better work environment.” For more information on the EMA’s Managing Customer Complaints course visit www.ema.co.nz

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Quality grass solutions for work, rest and play If you are yearning for a lawn or grass that never needs mowing or watering, that won’t crack, is not wet or muddy after rain, is child safe and looks fantastic then you are in for a surprise! Mainland Sport and Landscape Ltd has turned dreams into reality with its new range of EagleLawn synethic grass. The New Generation 3 synthetic lawns are so close to the real thing that they have almost fooled experienced landscape contractors. Mainland Sport managing director Mark Tapley says synthetic lawns are the way forward for areas that get no sun or too much water or anywhere that natural grass won’t grow. “They are ideal for hard to maintain, high traffic areas around schools and shopping malls, but are also suitable for around the home where householders have no time for the ongoing maintenance needed to keep lawns in trim.” “EagleLawn is tested for use under children’s play equipment, Tapley says. “No more bark spread everywhere, no more animals doing their business in

that bark - this clean, tidy and attractive product is the ideal alternative.” One area where synthetic lawns can really shine is in commercial settings such as hotels, cafés, malls and seating areas. The ongoing costs, both in terms of time and money, involved with maintaining grass areas is now an expense that can be easily avoided. And the benefit of a perfectly presented lawn area year-round, means your company is always presented in the best light. Image and perception can be that point of difference, and in fact it will be the best looking business on the street and anything that provides the slightest competitive advantage, as well as saving you money in the long run, is a valid investment. Installing a synthetic lawn is easy too. Mainland Sport and Landscape will remove the old grass and topsoil, undertake contour and levelling work, then roll out the new, free draining lawn. And it’s all done within two to three days - 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed.

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Have you ever asked yourself... Is there more cancer around these days? Why are there more pregnancy issues, infertility, or miscarriages? Why do more kids have ADHD now? Is male sexual dysfunction more prevalent now? What damage are we doing to our planet by using plastic? What’s causing the early onset of female puberty? Read on and you may find the answers... What is BPA (Bisphenol A)? BPA is widely used to make polycarbonate plastics such as those in baby bottles, water bottles and compact disc cases and is an ingredient in the resins used to line food cans. The chemical has been shown to leach into food or water. To see a complete definition of BPA, please go to www. safebottles.co.nz. The following is a direct quote from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). As you will see they acknowledge that BPA and other chemicals do leach into food and liquid. However, they also say that it’s not proven to be harmful and doesn’t cause cancer. “In some circumstances, chemicals in food packaging can migrate into the food product and vice versa, depending on the nature of the packaging and the food contained within.” Food Standards Australia New Zealand “the most toxic chemical known to man.” Dr Frederick Vom Saal

The facts on BPA The following are quotes relating to BPA and chemicals found in plastic water bottles. To see the full quote and source, please visit our website, www.safebottles.co.nz In men the oestrogen mimicking effects of BPA have been known to block some of the more important effects that testosterone has on sexual functioning. Those who were exposed to BPA were four times more likely than those who were not exposed to report some sort of sexual dysfunction. Associate Professor of Department of Reproductive Sciences - Yale

But even though PETE (used in many plastic bottles) doesn’t contain BPA (as seen on 60 Minutes 9/6/2010), it does contain other chemicals called phthalates - which are also believed to be endocrine disruptors. Mindfood.com Like BPA, these chemicals leach into the water more quickly when the plastic is heated, so don’t leave these water bottles in a hot car or out in the sun. A potentially deadly toxin is being absorbed into bottled mineral

water from their plastic containers. And the longer the water is stored, the levels of poison increase, research reveals.

There are enough warning signs to show the need to act sooner rather than later. There are growing concerns about bottled water in particular in plastic bottles. The safest option is stainless steel. Breastchek.co.nz

Jo Knowsley

Our findings suggest that exposure to low-dose BPA may have widespread effects on brain structure and function. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to classify BPA as safe, basing its ruling only on the findings of two industry-funded studies. There are over 200 independent scientists, not in conflict financially with this chemical (BPA), saying we find it relating to obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, brain disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, liver disease, ovarian disease, disease of the uterus, low sperm count for men and the list goes on. David Gutierrez Natural News After years of insisting Bisphenol-A (BPA) posed no threat to the health of babies, six larger manufacturers of baby bottles have announced they will stop shipping new baby bottles made with the chemical. Mike Adams, Natural News A 2007 review of 700 studies involving BPA, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, found that infants and foetuses were the most vulnerable to adverse effects from this toxic substance. C W Randolph, MD The researchers indicated that such damage is a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic ovaries and cancers. Earlier studies linked low dose BPA to female reproductive-tract disorders, as well as early-stage prostate and breast cancer and decreased sperm counts in animals. Andreas Moritz In 2004, one researcher counted up all of the studies done to date on just BPA. Of 104 studies done by independent researchers, 94 found adverse effects. Donna Jackson Nakazawa

The latest study showed that women with a history of miscarriages were found to have higher levels of BPA in their bodies. The women who had miscarriages were found to have BPA levels on average about three times higher than women who had successfully given birth. David Steinman

The National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health concluded that there is “some concern” that BPA may cause problems in foetuses, babies and children, including breast or prostate cancer early onset of female puberty, attention deficit disorder and other problems of the reproductive and neurological systems. David Gutierrez Bisphenol A is such a dangerous chemical that I have no doubt it will one day be banned from all food and beverage products. Frederick vom Saal The following are countries which have taken action against BPA - Canada, Denmark, Belgium and France - so far. Those with the most BPA in their urine had nearly three times the risk of heart disease more than twice the risk of diabetes, as well as signs of liver damage. Unfortunately, the levels of BPA that were associated with disease are within the EPA’s industry-friendly levels of safety.” Byron Richards The following research is by world expert Dr William Shotyk - who has vowed never to drink bottled water again - “I don’t want to shock people but here’s what I know: Antimony is being continuously released into bottled drinking water. The water in PET bottles is contaminated”. Antimony finds its way into water by ‘leaching’ from the plastic in the same way that water absorbs flavour from a tea bag. Jo Knowsley If you have a baby that you are formula feeding, you are likely to be exposing your child to BPA through the formula itself, which is almost assuredly packaged in a BPA-lined can. Aaron Turpen In most countries, BPA is legal in food storage including baby bottles, containers and so forth. Very few companies are using BPA-free containers for anything. Aaron Turpen To see each of the quotes in full and the source please go to www.safebottles.co.nz

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NZIA Awards | Sheppard and Rout Architects

A design for

designers

There’s nothing like a little inside knowledge, so when you get designers creating a building for students of design, chances are it’s going to work. And with the Lincoln University Landscape Architecture building — it did. Jasper van der Lingen, Matt Gutsell and Kazu Kano of Sheppard and Rout Architects, along with Perry Royal of Royal Associates Architects, reflected on their collective student experiences during the design process, to ensure the building fitted in with the other structures around the Lincoln campus. The effort paid off — the building has won three architecture awards and is being praised by the Lincoln staff and students. “Design is different to other subjects at university. It’s more like an artist studio environment than any normal classroom at uni. We wanted to foster that. We come from a similar environment so we could understand what the students wanted,” van der Lingen says. In fact van der Lingen enjoyed designing this particular building for perhaps this very reason — the art and its understanding.

What the New Zealand Institute of Architects said: Lincoln University Landscape Architecture building  NZIA Local (Canterbury) Award for Public Architecture  NZIA National Award for Public Architecture  Resene Colour Award for Excellence in Colour

“Seemingly well behaved from the exterior, the interior of the building unleashes a riot of materials and colour set against a backdrop of traditional brick and softer concrete and timber elements.”

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NZIA Awards | Sheppard and Rout Architects

Better building, better graduates Neil Challenger, the head of the Landscape Architecture programme, says the old building was not conducive to good education. “It was dark, individualistic and had poor connections. It didn’t engender a sense of school or allow opportunity for students to learn from each other. There was not enough space for our students, which needed to be addressed. Other programmes in New Zealand had better facilities than we did.” Challenger says the new building is a fantastic improvement. “The studios are open and partial open plan. So as the students progress, as they move through the years, they know who each other are. We are seeing them work with each other much more, the first years hanging out in the second or third year area, asking questions. It’s much, much more integrative. As academic staff, we know we only provide some of the learning. We feel we are producing better graduates.” The feedback from the students has been positive. “The students love it. They like coming to work, they enjoy working in the building and find the togetherness to be helpful and enjoyable. They find the use of space and light inspirational. The design qualities of the building are being enjoyed and appreciated.”

What the New Zealand Institute of Architects said:

“Unexpected juxtapositions of traditional and contemporary materials are cleverly compatible, resulting in a complete, pleasurable experience... (proof that) a miraculous outcome can be delivered on a tight budget.” Fitting in

The internal street

A challenge for van der Lingen and his team was designing a 21st century building to fit onto a campus with much loved brick 19th century buildings and a variety of other additions. Most of the existing buildings are red brick and masonry constructions, wrapped around landscaped courtyards.

Van der Lingen designed an internal street inside the Landscape Architecture building, because it is the crossroads of the building’s internal circulation and one of the main routes of the university in general — students and staff pass through it to go to the car park, student accommodation and other major buildings. He created a sense of pulling the wider circulation spaces inside by creating the internal street — “what is essentially an external space within the building”.

Van der Lingen used “brick curtains” — brick hung around concrete frames, pulled apart and pleated at openings. This, he explains, “opens up the traditionally closed, small-windowed structures of the past” and allows the building’s earthquake protecting to be done by concrete.

He used a range of exterior materials — brick and slate from the building that was

demolished to make way for the new one — and concrete and courtyard tiles. The roof is partly made of glass and large sliding doors open to the sunny courtyard, so the street morphs with the outside. “The internal street is open to all major spaces,” he explains. “Design studios, the seminar room, the main stairs and lift and the staff area — and it is is generous enough to hold both impromtu and organised events and gatherings. It has become a popular location for university social events.” Feature continues on next page >>

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 33

NZIA Awards | Sheppard and Rout Architects

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The Landscape Architecture building was designed with sustainability in mind. The part glass canopy over the internal street acts as a three-dimensionally-folded environmental screen which mitigates and controls the temperature with automated windows, designed to keep the sun out in summer and in during winter. Except for the computer labs, which had to have air conditioning, there is no air con in the building. Instead, a well-designed system of natural ventilation where the windows automatically open when it gets too hot is used to keep the building cool. During winter, the

“high thermal mass” or concrete floors and walls in plain English, retain the heat made during the day and slowly let it out at night, leading to a constant warm temperature. The building is also highly insulated. Van der Lingen is pleased with how the building copes with the seasons. “You get these computer models done beforehand to test if the building’s going to work but the test is the reality. So far we’ve been a year in operation and it’s done well.” The building’s materials were also purchased with sustainability in mind. The carpet is made of recycled materials and as little paint as possible was used. The building is also setup to re-use greywater, although the final connection has not been done yet. The lights are sensory, so they come on when there are people working but switch themselves off when nobody’s there. A funky internal feature are the walls of the studio room. Staff and students can draw on the walls like they are whiteboards, easily rubbing out their designs or notes once they are done. Walls in other rooms are finished in Resene Magnetic Magic paint, which enables sketches and drawings to be hung up with a magnet whenever teachers are lecturing or students are giving presentations.

Awards and accolades The building has won three prestigious awards for its design. The New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) gave it an award for local (Canterbury) Public Architecture. It was then one of three buildings across the country that won the NZIA’s National Public Architecture Award. The building “captured the jurors’ attention with its organic quality and was hailed as proof that a miraculous outcome can be delivered on a tight budget”, the NZIA citation states.

NZIA Awards | Sheppard and Rout Architects

was officially opened by Minister of Economic Development Gerry Brownlee in November 2009, amid a weekend of celebrations of 40 years of Landscape Architecture being taught at Lincoln University.

“Seemingly well-behaved from the exterior, the interior of the building unleashes a riot of materials and colour set against a backdrop of traditional brick and softer concrete and timber elements. Unexpected juxtapositions of traditional and contemporary materials are cleverly compatible, resulting in a complete, pleasurable experience.” The building was also awarded a Resene Colour Award for its use of colour. They complimented both the magnetic and whiteboard walls, as well as the use of external water repellent paint. “The clever use of paints to provide the extra benefits of cleanability outside and magnetic and whiteboard benefits inside, is a useful reminder that paint can be so much more than just a decorative finish,” stated Resene. The new Landscape Architecture building has been used by students for a year now and

Head of Landscape Architecture Neil Challenger says the building has been a success. “The whole thing went seamlessly in terms of build process and has been welcomed by staff and students. It will be an integral building for many years to come.” Sheppard and Rout Architects Ltd 104 Salisbury Street PO Box 2426 Christchurch 8140 T (03) 366 1562 F (03) 366 1060 E admin@sheprout.com www.sheprout.com — Advertising Feature

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Business Development | Eastern Resources Group

Expertise at the coalface of The industrial revolution was a turning point in human history and the 18th and 19th centuries, during which this global evolution took place, were periods of seismic change. With the mechanisation of various industrial sectors, agrarian societies the world over were mobilised and propelled forward. Daily life as it was known would never be the same again. Technological, cultural and socio-economic conditions progressively flourished during this era and unprecedented and sustained growth ensued. At the heart of this global activity was a combustible rock composed primarily of organic matter including compounds of carbon, moisture and minerals — coal. In the modern world of today, coal is still a universal commodity and a fundamental and integral source of energy for the human race. And while perceptions of coal as a polluting fuel lingered in the air post-industrial revolution, by the 1970s sooty and smoky pollution had been largely brought under control. Come the millennium, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions were at an environmentally acceptable level at ever-reducing costs.

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Business Development | Eastern Resources Group

energy extraction With a role in electricity generation, steel production and cement manufacturing, coal is in global demand, sought after by paper manufacturers, the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and alumina refineries. It has numerous applications and many products have coal or coal byproducts as components including perfume, aspirin, solvents, soap, dye, fabric and activated carbon in water.

New Zealand coal New Zealand’s coal is distinctive by nature. Much younger than most of the world’s coals which were formed in great swamps during the Carboniferous period approximately 300-350 millions years ago, New Zealand coal formed from more evolved vegetation types mainly in the late Cretaceous and Tertiary periods between 30 and 70 million years ago. The country’s economically valuable coal seams formed when the sea started to progressively rise against a low-lying landmass, which meant the rivers had less energy and could not carry sediment load out to the sea. Swampy flats were formed and peat developed when there was a favourable balance between water level, sediment supply and plant growth. Most of New Zealand’s coal has origins in shallow inland basins or extensive coastal swamps. In the early times, coal could only be sourced when it was outcropped or visible in streams and rivers and when it was first discovered, high rank coal from the West Coast was the main type produced. Used in ships, trains and town gas works, coal still has a significant presence in industrial processing with many government and commercial institutions heated by coal in New Zealand, particularly in the South Island.

The Coal Association of New Zealand has forecast that at current production levels, proven coal reserves are estimated to last 133 years and in New Zealand alone, there are enough coal reserves for roughly 1000 years. Total in-situ coal resources are estimated to be about 15 billion tonnes, of which approximately nine billion tonnes have been judged economically recoverable. With reserves of coal that are capable of providing environmentally sustainable, secure and affordable energy, New Zealand’s coal industry also has an active hydrogen programme experimenting with coal to produce hydrogen.

Derived from New Zealand’s 26 operating coal mines, four of which are underground and 22 opencast, the unique properties of New Zealand coal has given this resource specialist purposes and a high value in the international market.

As a particularly attractive area for exploration due to its successful export of extensive in-ground and unique quality coal resources, the New Zealand coal industry is growing strongly to meet the nation’s increasing energy requirements.

With extensive coal resources located primarily in the West Coast, Otago and Southland regions in the South Island, and the Waikato and Taranaki regions of the North Island, New Zealand’s coal exports are generally low ash and low sulphur bituminous coal utilised for steel making. The South Island’s West Coast contains New Zealand’s only bituminous coals. The low level of mineral contaminants ensures there is a high demand from international markets.

Working as an integral part of the New Zealand industry is Eastern Resources Group Limited; a strategically located operation committed to exploration and development within the country. As an established coal producer, Eastern Resources finds existing mines and potential projects that are manageable in scale and maximises their commercial potential. Feature continues on next page >>

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 37

Business Development | Eastern Resources Group Galilee Energy Galilee Energy Limited is an emerging energy company with coal seam gas interests in Australia and coal mines in New Zealand. Formerly known as Eastern Corporation Limited (Eastern), the company changed its name to Galilee Energy Limited (Galilee) in June 2010 following a buy-out by Eastern of the minority shares it did not already hold in its 68 percent owned subsidiary, Galilee Energy

Limited. In September, the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Eastern Coal (NZ) Limited also changed its name to Eastern Resources Group Limited. Galilee Energy provides investors with good value entry into coal seam gas and as the company moves towards certification of gas reserves, its projects in central Queensland present opportunities in the rapidly emerging CSG industry in this area.

Through Eastern Resources, Galilee Energy is an established producer of coal in New Zealand with growing and diversifying operations. Supplying domestic industrial customers in the South Island, Eastern Resources is also involved in exploration for both coking and thermal coal.

Eastern Resources Group Through Eastern Resources, Galilee Energy operates several successful coal operations in New Zealand. As an established and recognised coal producer in New Zealand, Eastern Resources is developing a substantial coal business with

the application of skills and expertise committed by a small but efficient team of 24 staff. Defined by its safety culture and commitment to meeting community expectations in environmentally sensitive regions, Eastern Resources has proven operational capabilities that respect New Zealand’s organic and legislative environments. There is a long tradition of mining in New Zealand and the geology of the country is well known. Its extensive coal resources, the professionalism of the industry and the efficient government regulation that encourages exploration and development, provides a strong professional platform for coal mining. These factors present significant opportunities for Eastern Resources and there are few barriers to overcome in order to participate in the New Zealand market. The company can easily find existing mines and potential projects that are manageable in scale, which allows for immediate or early cash flow to be achieved. The growing demand for coal domestically and internationally provides commercial conditions for expansion.

Cascade Coal An open cut coal mine location in the historic Buller coalfields region near Westport on the West Coast, the Cascade coal mine produces a commercially attractive coal which is low in ash and sulphur with a high calorific value. Cascade coal is in high demand within the domestic industrial markets in New Zealand. The mine plan for Cascade addresses five primary areas. The Mill Creek block was the first to be mined and has now been terraced and hydroseeded as part of the rehabilitation process. The Fire Pit block has also been mined out and the void is now being backfilled prior to shaping and hydroseeding. With current operational efforts concentrated in the Gravel Pit Block, stripping in this area is now complete and coal mining is continuing while overburden removal has commenced in the Durkins block. This will be completed in five push back stages before coal recovery commences in this area. The Adams block will be the final target for the recovery of coal. Consideration may be given to accessing coal through means of underground mining. The staged realignment of the main access has also been an integral part of the mining operation and will enable entry to the various blocks in line with the mine planning. While outside contractors have recently been engaged to assist with additional site works for the road realignment, Cascade is run as an owner/operator mine. Production is targeted to 40,000–45,000 tonnes per annum for the next three years. The largest customer is local cement plant, Holcim which takes approximately 40,000 tonnes per annum secured under a take or pay agreement. The remaining coal is sold locally or transported to industrial users in the Canterbury and Otago regions with some tonnage blended with coal from the company’s Takitimu mine in Southland and distributed through Eastern Resources Supplies in Timaru.

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38 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

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Business Development | Eastern Resources Group Takitimu Coal

Ohai

The Takitimu coal mine is located in the Ohai Nightcaps area in the far south of the South Island. An open cut mine producing sub-bituminous coal for sale into industrial applications in the Southland and Otago regions, production at Takitimu has increased from 1000 tonnes per annum at the time of acquisition in 2006, to approximately 160,000 tonnes for the 2009/2010 financial year. This production figure is expected to increase in the current year.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rochford Coal Limited, Eastern Resources was granted the Ohai exploration Permit — an area of 7118 hectares surrounding the existing Takitimu mine. The seams identified at the Takitimu operations extend into the area covered by the permit and activity in this permit to date has identified further resources of sub-bituminous coal.

The mine’s major contract is the supply of between 130,000 to 170,000 tonnes per annum to dairy processor, Fonterra, for its Clandeboye plant. This contract commenced in 2008 and a variation to provide Fonterra with an option to extend supply under the contract until August 30, 2020 was signed in February 2010. Dairy and food processing plants operated by the Talley’s group constitute the other large customers served by Takitimu and major infrastructure upgrades have been implemented on site to accommodate the increase in the mine’s production. A single roll primary crusher has been installed to complement the capabilities of the new processing plant, which was installed in 2008 and new dust suppression systems were also installed to ensure continued compliance with resource consents. Since Eastern Resources took ownership, overburden and coal mining have continued to meet targets and no lost time injuries or environmental incidents have been recorded. Drilling to confirm the resource and extend the mine life at Takitimu and the surrounding areas continues as required.

Throughout the year, a 20 hole drilling programme was completed at Ohai with the intent of extending the existing resource at Takitimu beyond the current licence boundary. An agreement was established with the adjoining landowner to obtain access to an area of private coal immediately adjoining the Takitimu mine known as Area 1. Necessary resource consents for mining development in this area have been obtained and stripping of overburden is now under way. Work has also commenced on obtaining appropriate consents for mining in an area north of current activities.

Whareatea West Rochfort Coal also holds the Whareatea West Exploration Permit. The development of this permit area is currently intended to be timed to coincide with the end of mine life at Cascade and covers an area of 816.2 hectares situated on the Denniston Plateau on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, approximately five kilometres north-west of Cascade. To properly define the prospects of this permit, further core drilling and quality testing is necessary, although activity to date indicates the potential for high quality coking coal and industrial grade thermal coal.

Although further coal exists in the main Takitimu permit, the mine plan is for an initial push in this area of private coal located immediately to the north, outside the tenement boundary. In December 2009, rehabilitation of the adjacent Mossbank permit was completed and the tenement relinquished. This was a stipulation in the terms of purchase of the Takitimu mine.

Rochfort Coal’s exploration of this area has already identified a coal resource of approximately 27 million tonnes, verified in a report by Rokmode Pty Limited, prepared in accordance with the Australasian JORC code.

the resource potential. Further exploration to determine coal qualities for particular markets and to adjudicate the full extent of the resource is now planned and a two year forward work programme has been submitted to the Department of Crown Minerals for 11 core holes. “When we went to look at Whareatea West, Cascade came up for sale. We anticipated that we would export this resource but saw how substantial the domestic market was and concentrated on this,” Galilee Energy business development and corporate relations manager Sam Aarons says. In addition, a separate application for drilling approval has been submitted to the Department of Conservation. It is scheduled that a six hole programme will be undertaken prior to December 2010, with a further five holes to be drilled during 2011. A mining scope study will also be completed and in parallel with these submissions, initial approaches are being made to the appropriate statutory bodies, freight providers and other relevant stakeholders to assess the potential for the development of the Whareatea West permit as an export coking coal mine with a secondary thermal product.

Albury Eastern Resources has applied for a Prospecting Permit for tenements located in Albury, north west of Timaru near the east coast of the South Island. The application is currently being considered by Crown Minerals and covers an 836 square kilometre area within the north-south Cannington basin. The area is prospective for sub-bituminous coal based on existing historical data and is located near major customers for thermal coal.

Orepuki Following a review of historical data, which concluded that expenditure on the further development of this permit was not warranted,

the Orepuki Prospecting Permit was relinquished in December 2009.

Eastern Resources Supplies Eastern Resources Supplies is a coal handling and distribution centre strategically located midway between the Cascade and Takitimu mines at Timaru. Its principal activity is to provide blended and non-blended coal to customers in the region. This facility is the location for the requisite contingency stockpile under the terms of the Fonterra coal supply agreement and also provides delivery support for the supply to the nearby Clandeboye plant. Eastern Resources’s sales and accounting administration functions are also located at this site. Feature continues on next page >>

To date, only approximately 40 percent of the permit has been explored by Rochfort Coal and further analyses are required to fully understand Wherever hard rock or dirt needs moving in the upper North Island, it’s likely C&R Developments are there, and Total Oil is right there with them helping keep the engines running and the earth turning over. C&R Developments is a mining and civil contracting company owned by four brothers, Mike, Tony, Tim and Simon Ross, operating a large selection of heavy plant for contracts ranging from coal and gold mining, to quarrying and major roading projects. For the last five years they have used Total Oil products across a fleet that includes 18 excavators (ranging from 12 to 180 tonnes), 27 dump trucks (ranging from 30 to 100 tonnes), 11 track type tractors, (from d7 size to D9L size), and five graders.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 39

Business Development | Eastern Resources Group

Fact file  Eastern Resources Group Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Galilee Energy Limited  Eastern Resources is an established and recognised coal producer in New Zealand  Eastern Resources supplies domestic industrial customers in the South Island  The company is involved in exploration for both coking and thermal coal  Eastern Resources’ Takitimu mine has increased from 1000 tonnes per annum to approximately 160,000 tonnes  In New Zealand, the operations have continued to perform in excess of the proposed budget  For the year ending June 30, 2010, Eastern Resources recorded an expected gross profit of $2-$2.5 million.

Looking forward The future of Eastern Resources is undoubtedly promising as reflected in Galilee Energy’s expected profit figures delivered in July 2010 via an ASX announcement. For the year ending June 30, 2010, the company expected to report its first profit after tax in the range of $1.6 to $1.8 million compared with a loss of $2.447 million for the same period last year. This was the first profit recorded for the consolidated entity. In New Zealand, Galilee’s coal operations have continued to perform in excess of the budget with an expected profit before tax in the range of $2-$2.5 million compared with a profit of $1.268 million for the previous year. In June 2010, Galilee Energy advised that it was conducting a strategic review of its New Zealand coal assets. Considering a potential IPO (Initial Public Offering) of its coal assets into a separate ASX-listed entity in order to finance the next stage of exploration and the development of those assets, the Galilee Energy board is still evaluating the feasibility, structure and size of any such transaction. In the instance the company proceeds it is likely it will be by way of a public offering of new shares in a holding company of the New Zealand coal assets and that Galilee Energy would retain a significant minority stake. Eligible shareholders would then be offered a priority allocation in respect of a yet to be determined percentage of any public offer. While the board noted at the time of this strategic review there would be no guarantee this partial spin-off will proceed in any form, if the transaction was to move forward it would be dependent on various factors not limited to market conditions, ASX requirements, investor

interest and other Australian and New Zealand regulatory requirements. “We’re looking forward to expanding beyond coal into other resources if the opportunity arises,” Aarons says of the company’s additional professional intentions. “Our short term focus is certainly Whareatea and we see a big future in New Zealand so we are happy to invest money into it. Ultimately, the money we make in New Zealand goes back into New Zealand and developing the business.” Eastern Resources also believes there is room for further development within the coal industry without impinging the unique New Zealand environment. “Our focus needs to be on making coal a cleaner and safer energy source,” Aarons says. “We are working closely with the Department of Conservation, environmental bodies and local district councils because we are

very conscious of our responsibilities with regard to access arrangements and we are mindful of environmental compliance requirements.”

Mine rehabilitation is achieved through drainage, fertiliser application, weed control, revegetation programmes and earthworm ‘seeding’.

Aaron adds that the business is committed to mine rehabilitation and this is something Eastern Resources factors into all its mine plans so it becomes an integral part of the mining process. “As we mine the coal we backfill the void left behind, which expedites the rehabilitation process. This way at the end of the mine life, we are not dealing with a large environmental liability.”

Land can then be used for forestry, recreation or stock grazing. Due to the advances in environmental management and greater knowledge and appreciation of the importance of effective rehabilitation programmes, rehabilitation studies are now mandatory during any feasibility study of a new open-pit mine.

Rehabilitation of a mine is a careful planning process. Factors considered include erosion control, replacement of subsoil and topsoil, the contour of the land and revegetation. The objective of rehabilitation is to return the area to a sustainable and stable landform, compatible with surrounding land use.

Eastern Resources Group Limited 22 Treneglos Street Washdyke Timaru 7910 T (03) 688 0585 E saarons@galilee-energy.com.au www.galilee-energy.com.au — Advertising Feature

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40 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Proud to be associated with Eastern Coal Holdings NZ Ltd

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Business Development | North South Holiday Park

Southern hospitality Hospitality and manners are repeatedly framed as the glue that binds the south together. “Southern hospitality” is a familiar mantra and it’s long been believed to set us aside from northern compatriots. The characteristics of southern hospitality were described as early as 1835 when Jacob Abbott described the willingness of southerners to provide for strangers. “Conversation flows cheeringly, for the southern gentleman has a particular tact in making a guest happy.” But southern hospitality is certainly not confined to the gentlemen of the south. North South Holiday Park scooped the AA Spirit of Hospitality Award for excellence in holiday parks at the Holiday Parks Conference held in Rotorua from June 22-24. And the success certainly wasn’t limited to the man of the team, co-owner Steve Fraser explains. “When the AA Tourism CEO Peter Blackwell presented us with the award I explained that I wasn’t in the office that much and it was all due to our staff. ‘You’re right it wasn’t you, it was your wife’, was his reply,” Steve Fraser says about his and wife Julie’s success in the awards. The pair make a great team. AA Tourism CEO Peter Blackwell says North South Holiday Park has become a familiar finalist in the award, which represents excellence in hospitality. “North South is very deserving of the AA Spirit of Hospitality Award. I congratulate Steve and Julie Fraser on their consistently high standard of hospitality year on year,” Blackwell says. He describes the standards both winners and finalists of the award consistently achieve. “The finalists are tremendous hosts and have continued to provide families and visitors with an unforgettable experience resulting in many guests returning to holiday. “Staying at a holiday park is a real Kiwi experience and a must-do for both international and domestic visitors. It is the quality of a host’s service that makes the experience even more enjoyable and memorable.” North South Holiday Park is a member of Family Parks marketing group and as such has four main aims:  To provide a friendly ‘home away from home’ atmosphere for guests  To provide a consistently reliable and quality standard of facilities for guests  To ensure all guests have an enjoyable experience

 To enable VIP members to receive discounts and real value for their loyalty.

family to us. They come back year after year, you get to know them on a personal level.”

Considered by the Holiday Park Association as the top holiday park award in New Zealand, finalists for the AA Spirit of Hospitality Awards are selected based on comment cards sent in by guests and the quality of their ratings.

“It’s certainly not a lifestyle choice. It’s hard work, a 24/7 job,” Steve says.

Such was the quality of guest comment cards on behalf of Christchurch’s North South Holiday Park, that one was read out to the audience at the awards. “The unhesitating generosity over and above ordinary helpfulness, Julie the host helped financially to rebook my flight overseas after I missed my original flight due to a forgotten passport. I have never been so grateful and humbled,” the comment card read.

Your hosts Business or pleasure, holiday or conference, holiday park or resort; no matter what the reason or the cause, the quality of your stay comes down to your hosts. Joining the industry in 1987, Steve and Julie Fraser have developed a popular following and after 12 years running North South, customers return year after year for a dose of what North South does best. “We were staying in a holiday park in Otago and we just looked at each other and said ‘wow, if we can’t run a place better than this… ’” Steve leaves the sentence unfinished. Whatever the reason for their entry into the industry, it’s certainly been a successful journey for the pair. “Steve was on the HAPNZ board for nine years, and president for two of those,” Julie says. “It has allowed us to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry,” Steve says. “We were able to see what other people were doing in the industry and take that on board for the benefit of customers.” This includes keeping up with technology. They are initiating a real time booking system for customers. But the real key to the success of North South Holiday Park is the two people who are the helm. “You have to be able to work well together as a couple,” Steve says. “Not everyone can do that,” Julie laughs. But it’s obvious to anyone who stays at North South just how well the pair do work together. “We get a lot of repeat business,” Steve says. “My wife has an amazing memory. She will remember a customer who was here a year ago and she’ll be like ‘you left a book in the room’. “We spend time with our customers. We give that customer service. It’s about the little things,” Julie says. “People really do become like

Much to the dismay of the park’s following, North South Holiday Park was due to close this year. But thankfully the decision was made to extend the lease and it has allowed the couple to begin work on a major overhaul of the entire park facilities. It means there’s a lot of hard work in store for the pair, but they’re looking forward to it. “We are doing a full refurbishment of the ablution blocks, full refurbishment of our rooms, the park landscaping and the playground,” Steve explains. “It’s our opportunity to put our mark on the place.”

Julie and Steve Fraser, owners of North South Holiday Park at Harewood, accepting the 2010 AA Spirit of Hospitality Award at the Holiday Parks Conference in June

Set in five hectares of serene, park-like grounds, North South Holiday Park is a tree lined holiday oasis — ideal for a holiday retreat in Christchurch or a relaxing stopover while on your journey north or south. Conveniently located just minutes from Christchurch International Airport and right on State Highway 1, North South Holiday Park is the ideal accommodation when flying in or out of Christchurch. “Our location is certainly a benefit,” Julie says. “We run a courtesy van to the airport which makes us ideal for people catching early flights.” A variety of accommodation types are catered for; park motel units, ensuite cabins, tourist cabins, standard cabins, self contained cabins and a compact cottage. Spacious powered and non powered camp sites are also available and the park’s bunkhouse offers the ideal Christchurch group accommodation. “We get a lot of groups who stay with us for annual events like dog shows or the swap meet.” Play tennis, splash in the swimming pool, fire up the barbie, lounge in the sun in the spacious park grounds or relax in the sauna North South Holiday Park provides for indulgent relaxation after an action packed day exploring Christchurch city and Christchurch’s activities and attractions. Stay for a night or settle in for a week or more at North South Holiday Park with your hosts Julie and Steve and find out for yourself why North South Holiday Park was the winner of the 2010 AA Spirit of Hospitality Award. North South Holiday Park 530 Sawyers Arms Road Harewood Christchurch T (03) 359 5993 E info@northsouth.co.nz www.northsouth.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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530 Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch, New Zealand. Ph 359 5993 www.northsouth.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 41

Business Development | Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint

Straightening out Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint pledges:

    

To turn your car into your prized asset Keep costs reasonable and quality high Help with insurance forms and claims Give free estimates To complete repairs as quickly as possible.

Fixing a V8 racing ute or repainting a 100 year old car is all in a day’s work for the team at Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint.

been a phenomenal change in the business. “Everything is totally different to what it was 40 years ago. The technology has changed and cars have totally changed, as has the equipment for working on them.”

Car grooming and upholstery repairs are additional services which are carried out in the modern and fully equipped workshops.

For the past 40 years the company has been offering these services and more to Cantabrians.

Collision repair

“We have also recently purchased a spectropotometer, which is a machine for reading the exact colour of your car,” he says.

The business was started in 1969 by Bruce Raxworthy, as soon as he finished his apprenticeship. Preferring to work for himself rather than anybody else, Bruce Raxworthy Painters was initially a one-man band, operating from the garage at the back of Raxworthy’s father’s house. The company has grown in the last forty years, and now has a panel beating service and five employees with a reputation so good it draws work from Auckland. Bruce maintains an integral, hands-on, role in the business. He has been joined by his son Jake who completed his apprenticeship with Bruce, then worked in other workshops for four years before coming back. He now manages the business and sees to all customer needs. While the commitment to good customer service is the same, Jake says there has

“The Small Dent Specialists”

Proud to work in conjunction with Bruce Raxworthy Panel & Paint Mike Oudshoorn 027 434 7330 42 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Chris Roe 027 274 6163

“We care for your car like our own and we take pride in presenting it back to you in as new condition,” Jake Raxworthy says. “We will pick up customers’ cars within the city area and deliver them back when the car is finished. This is something we have been doing for a number of years.” Loan vehicles are also available for customers’ convenience. “All the vehicles we repair and paint have a Spies Hecker Diamond lifetime warranty on their paints,” he says. The team at Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint are experts in plastic welding for bumper repairs and plastic panel repairs, and also carry out fibreglass repairs to obtain the perfect finish. You’ll find all the essential equipment, fully experienced spray and panel repair personnel, together with a modern heated spray booth to give your vehicle a top professional finish.

Electro-Guard are pleased to be associated with Bruce Raxworthy Painter Ltd • CAR ALARMS • HOUSE ALARMS • COMMERCIAL ALARMS • CLASSIC CAR AUTO ELECTRICS • CUSTOM REWIRES • EFI REWIRES (LINK ETC) • EARLY TIME AUTO ELECTRICS • STARTER MOTOR REPAIRS • GENERATOR & ALTERNATORS ALSO PHONE 322 4433 (24 Hours) or 0274 328 051 (Business Hours) 61 HALSWELL JUNCTION ROAD CHRISTCHURCH Email: electroguard@xtra.co.nz ASHLEY B MULHOLLAND

The company recently purchased a spot welder for the panel shop.

“It will be very handy for doing classic cars that sometimes need a bit of a touch up work. This machine photographs the colour on your car and then we can store it in our computer. The next time the customer comes in, using the car registration, we can bring that photo up again. The machine can read the colour of your car no matter the age.” Recently the team at Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint restored some V8 utes damaged while racing. “Jobs like that are very intense,” Jake says. “Those cars come to us in a real state, and we get them going again very quickly.”

Classic and vintage cars Classic and vintage car paint work and classic car restoration has been a speciality of Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint for many years.

Business Development | Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint

the kinks at a glance… Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint “Many owners have been well satisfied with the perfect finish of the end product,” Jake Raxworthy says. Classic car upholstery renovation and repair and classic car rechroming and refurbishing are some of the things Bruce Raxworthy Paint and Panel can do to ensure your valuable car is well-maintained. Car owners can be involved with the preparation and progress of the painting of their classics and their various components. Recently, the Bruce Raxworthy Paint and Panel team re-painted a 1913 Nazzaro from bare metal for a Christchurch collector. This car is one of three left in the world. Jake Raxworthy says there are other businesses in Christchurch which repaint vintage cars, but believes the collector chose them over the others because of their quality of workmanship. The company has also worked on a 1955 Connaught racing car, that had been in a 1950s movie and after the repairs was later featured in a magazine, and has also painted a lot of British classics, like Austin Healeys.

Fleet repairs Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint can repair a company’s fleet of cars and maintain the paint work of fleet vehicles to keep them looking tidy and professional. The team will devise a maintenance programme which will include inspections, which can be done after office hours. Minor paint scratches and blemishes can also be attended to in the workshops. Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint is a one-stop shop, with car grooming and signwriting for fleet vehicles among the services offered as required.

Insurance repairs Any of the Raxworthy team can help you with the complexities of filling out insurance forms and filing of insurance claim forms for your insurance company. This can be a daunting task but comes second nature to the Raxworthy staff who have been dealing with insurance companies everyday for more than 10 years.

 Today the business has five employees including Bruce’s son Jake  Offers excellent customer service  Repairs and repaints from vintage through to modern vehicles  Maintains company car fleets, outside office hours if necessary  Can help customers complete complex insurance forms  Will accept monthly repayments from the uninsured  Has two V8 racing utes they look after. Bruce Raxworthy bought the Wrights Road premises about 23 years ago, when that part of Addington was becoming industrialised. The business has expanded the building several times during the last two decades. Jake says a goal for the future is to expand the company even more by taking on more jobs and staff.

Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint 82 Wrights Road Christchurch 8024 T (03) 338 0867 F (03) 338 0824 E raxworthy@xtra.co.nz www.bruceraxworthy.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Finance

If you are uninsured Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint can organise your repairs to be fully or partially financed with monthly repayments. This means your repairs don’t need to be paid Racing utes for in full when you pick up your vehicle. Bruce JAMES FORSTER BROKERS LTD Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint has two V8INSURANCE Raxworthy Panel and Paint also offers free racing utes they look after and keep “spick and TO ARE PROUD SUPPORT quotes for any work. span” for the racing season, Jake BRUCE says. RAXWORTHY LTD “There is a lot of time spent panel beating and painting them, even sourcing some panels for them. But it is work we enjoy. And we love following the racing too!”

 Started in 1969 by Bruce when he finished his apprenticeship, originally operating from his father’s garage

Future goals

JAMES FORSTER INSURANCE BROKERS LTD ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT BRUCE RAXWORTHY LTD

Bruce Raxworthy Panel and Paint have trained 0800 712612 three apprentices over the years and often has www.jfb.co.nz P. 03-3350213 F. 03-3350214 polytech pupils on site for work experience.

0800 712612 www.jfb.co.nz P. 03-3350213 F. 03-3350214

DRIVING EXCELLENCE > 157 MOORHOUSE AVE, CHRISTCHURCH > phone 03 366 6175 www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 43

Business Development | CodeBlue

services for you In New Zealand, our business landscape is coloured with professional diversity and quintessential Kiwi innovation. As the backbone to our economy, this commercially competitive landscape and the unique enterprises inhabiting this industrial domain, benefit from the presence of effective information technology (IT) infrastructure. Since 2004, one New Zealand IT chain has been enhancing business productivity, alleviating professional stress and enabling companies to maximise their potential. CodeBlue is the IT expert propelling national businesses forward. With core competencies encompassing a range of system and service offerings including disaster recovery and business continuity services, consulting, security solutions and design and implementation, the network of CodeBlue branches throughout New Zealand offer expertise and experience. Established in 2008, CodeBlue Christchurch is working to maintain the reputation the business has earned, while creating its own professional identity in the local business community. CodeBlue is a private company owned primarily by the committed employees who work inside the business. Established more than six years ago, the business provides small to medium New Zealand businesses and organisations with the sophisticated and enterprise-level IT

services, support, benefits and costs savings available to larger companies. A growing organisation with more than 50 staff, CodeBlue’s efficient IT services are delivered to customers via its eight branch network, which reaches from Auckland down to Invercargill. Specialising in providing a comprehensive range of enterprise-level IT managed infrastructure services; CodeBlue is committed to tailoring its infrastructure services to complement the wants and needs of individual clients. Following a five step methodology in all system and service offerings, CodeBlue delivers on its promises by:  Investing time and resources upfront  Responding quickly to ensure user satisfaction  Allocating a trusted advisor who can provide consistent support  Implementing a best practice policy supported by CodeBlue’s monitoring and management centre  Providing regular reporting on the status of a business’ environment and key trends within that commercial field  Providing the right hardware and software at the right price  Making a commitment to businesses for the long haul.

CodeBlue Christchurch Director and branch manager Shelley Inwood, in conjunction with her partner Kent Allison, are the driving forces behind CodeBlue Christchurch.

 Understand the problem or situation

Inwood was working for a larger corporation based in Christchurch when her desire for professional autonomy saw her pursue an independent professional path — one which led her towards sole business ownership.

 Monitor and manage system risks

After 12 months of running her own company, Inwood was approached by CodeBlue, who recognised her business acumen and skills in the IT field and in March 2008, she became a part of the CodeBlue professional family.

118 Wordsworth Street P O Box 7145 Christchurch 8240 NEW ZEALAND F. 643 3652 267

P. 643 3656 555 www.computercables.co.nz cabler@computercables.co.nz

CodeBlue’s five step methodology

Of CodeBlue’s definitive approach to its work, Inwood comments, “Our differentiating point is that we are small, dynamic and very focused on what works for the customer. We hire people that can talk to people. All our staff have expertise, intellect and customer service skills. “They also have a lot of experience in large business environments and are happy to do all sorts of projects. We provide one-on-one individual service with the skills and knowledge of larger organisations but the lower costs and friendly mentality of a smaller business.” It’s a professional formula that equates to success and earned CodeBlue Christchurch the 2010 CodeBlue Licensee Of the Year award. Inwood’s employee, Mike Tarjomi, also won the CodeBlue Service Award for 2010 for providing

 Protect the integrity of the system  Improve the ‘best practice’ standards of operation  Grow the operations as required

excellent customer service. “Mike’s award was decided unanimously by the national management team,” she says proudly. With ‘no blame’ culture promoted within the business, the professional formula adopted for CodeBlue Christchurch integrates the virtues of honesty and integrity. “I would always rather my staff ask the questions they need to ask. We have an open door policy and work to support each other.” Like the formula for excellent customer service, the staff retention strategies are also highly effective as the business has no staff turnover. Internal incentives including reward schemes are offered to the six staff working for the Christchurch branch. To accommodate the growing business, CodeBlue Christchurch has relocated to a new office space so it can continue to evolve and

progress. “We want to be a market leader in the industry and to further what we are already doing for small and medium businesses. We have a winning formula and now it is about growing our customer base and keeping up with changes in the market.”

Sleep easy CodeBlue is helping businesses to sleep easy with their ‘Sleep Easy’ Service Level Agreements (SLA). Uniquely designed to maintain and enhance the quality, reliability and security of existing IT systems, Code Blue’s SLA’s enable businesses to maximise commercial potential. Tailoring agreements to fulfil a business’ specific needs, CodeBlue is working to minimise the hassle involved with maintaining and enhancing IT systems.

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Business Development | CodeBlue

CodeBlue’s managed infrastructure services  Cloud computing  Server monitoring and support  Online backup  Disaster recovery  Anti-spam systems  Anti-virus solutions  Firewall solutions  Network maintenance plans  Products and procurement  Secure remote access

Shelley Inwood of Christchurch CodeBlue

the freedom to determine how much IT support they require on a case by case basis, depending on their requirements. CodeBlue will actively monitor the business’ network to reduce downtime by preventing outages before they occur and diagnosing faults immediately. The fixed price package delivers a predetermined level of user support, remote support, on-site support and engineering time per month.

Corporate Partnership

As fixed price packages, CodeBlue’s SLA’s allow companies to budget precisely and not spend a dollar more — even in the case of hardware failure. SLA options  Sleep Easy Gold For a flat rate, CodeBlue assumes total responsibility for preventing spam, spyware and viruses; system speed and performance; preventative maintenance; remote network monitoring; same-day repairs for faults; backups and user support.

 Sleep Easy Silver Sleep Easy Silver combines the best of the Gold and Bronze SLA features. Services and support include unlimited server support, proactive centralised desktop management, patch management and reporting. Sleep Easy Silver ensures businesses have flexibility when determining required levels of user, remote, onsite and PC support and engineering time.  Sleep Easy Bronze Designed for businesses that want to minimise outages, Sleep Easy Bronze is a flexible and cost effective option that provides organisations with

Maximise your mobility with the HP Mini 5103, featuring touch capabilities and tools for office productivity.

The Corporate Partnership approach offered by CodeBlue is ideal for larger businesses and organisations that already have an existing internal IT presence, but require additional professional and proactive IT service and support. Businesses can choose the SLA that meets their needs and CodeBlue will engage with internal IT staff to provide support and assist in training. This enables the organisation to retain control

over its IT services while still maintaining access to CodeBlue’s high level IT service, advice and support.

The CodeBlue Promise “Our promise is to slash your IT service and support costs by 20-40 percent while concurrently improving system security and reliability — all for a fixed monthly price, no matter what happens. You can budget precisely and not spend a dollar more — no exceptions, even in the case of hardware failure. “CodeBlue’s proactive management approach, combined with fixed prices to look after all your IT needs, represents a new wave in IT managed services.” Code Blue Christchurch 69a St Asaph Street Christchurch 8011 T (03) 379 0310 E shelley.inwood@codeblue.co.nz www.codeblue.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Express Data is proud to work with Shelley and the team at Code Blue Christchurch. We have a long association with Shelley formed during her years at Computerland and Gen-I and also as she built her own business, IT Synergy. A Code Blue franchise was a natural progression for Shelley and results show a very successful business with strong customer and vendor relationships. Express Data support Code Blue in sales of Microsoft, Cisco, and M86 Marshal products and look forward to assisting Shelley and the team with their continued growth.

www.expressdata.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 45

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Business Development | Tatom Engineering

N : 6 G H

Getting gear up to scratch A history spanning 50 years today sees Tatom Engineering operating in Christchurch as a specialist engineering and manufacturing operation. The company provides a range of specialty services to customers in a wide range of industries, including aeronautical, transport, drilling mining, construction, cereal milling woodworking and the rural sector. Its workshop specialises in the machining of components with services including turning, milling, grinding, line-boring gear cutting, splines, keyways, drilling, welding and fabrication. Tatom Engineering, formed in 1960 by the Tatom family, was purchased eight years ago by Ron and Lorraine Shaskey. After working for the business for 48 years, Ron knew his way around it and now employs seven staff from its premises in Holt Place, Burnside.

MOBILE • CRAWLER • TOWER CRANES • CONSTRUCTION HOIST

“We bought that part of the business from another company four or five years ago. “It’s very specialist and we have the only machine in New Zealand that can do it. It’s a specialist fluting machine that cuts the grooves in the rolls.”

“We do repairs and refurbish components for trucks, cranes and diggers. We work on the equipment, rather than the construction project,” Shaskey says.

Threading specialty

“We repair and refurbish worn parts and on construction equipment and we work for many of the big construction companies and virtually all the crane companies in Christchurch.”

Tatom Engineering also operates within the water-well drilling and mining industry, with customers in Canterbury, on the West Coast and throughout New Zealand. This work involves manufacturing drill subs, conversion subs and cross-over subs from one thread to another, or a different thread. “We specialise in threading and a lot of the drilling machinery has threads in it,” Shaskey says.

MARCH

MARCH CONSTRUCTION LTD

ANNIVERSARY!

Congratulating Tatom Engineering on their 50th Anniversary

Smith Cranes congratulate Tatom Engineering on their 50th Anniversary

Civil Engineering Contractors

Specialists in

Phone: +64 3 379 5566 Fax: +64 3 365 6915 Email: accy@millergale.co.nz

PHONE 03 359 7759 www.smithcranes.co.nz 46 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Level 2, URS House 287 Durham Street Christchurch New Zealand

“We also specialise in threading on machine tools, making up new nuts and threads and various thread components in industry.” Tatom Engineering undertakes a large amount of work for the construction industry, although its work involves manufacturing and repairing machinery, rather than providing building components.

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Tatom Engineering operates within various niche areas of industry. Core work includes manufacturing and refurbishing cereal rolls for flour mills. “We regrind them and recut the flutes. They are sent to us from all over New Zealand,” he says.

Foundation Piling Drainage Infrastructure Sheet Piling Pump Stations Ground Anchoring

Dewatering Ground Improvement Earthworks Retaining Walls Land Development

Contact: Head Office Phone: 03 323 8085 Fax: 03 323 7584 www.marchconstruction.co.nz

In addition, Tatom Engineering builds tooling for Air New Zealand. “We can’t manufacture parts for aircraft, because you have to be certified to do that, but we help with repairs and manufacturing new tools for servicing those aircraft.”

Business Development | Tatom Engineering

Experience and expertise Tatom Engineering employs a team of highly skilled and dedicated staff who are committed to providing the best possible service to their customers. “We’re switched on,” owner Ron Shaskey says. “We supply the product when the customer requires it.” All of Tatom Engineering’s staff are skilled tradesmen, with Ron’s wife Lorraine keeping everything running smoothly in the office. As well as its specialty manufacturing capabilities, the company undertakes a large amount of general jobbing and engineering, from welding to machining. “We do small-run manufacturing for various customers in the city,” Shaskey says. “For the past four or five years we’ve been manufacturing planting tubes for planting forestry seedlings for a customer in Australia. That customer used to be based in Christchurch and they were originally importing parts from overseas. We started manufacturing for them and when they moved to Australia we continued manufacturing the planting tubes and exporting them.”

Shaskey hopes to expand his company’s export business and is currently working on a quote to manufacture and export the planting tubes to a company in Finland.

expecting the quake to generate extra business. “There are going to be problems with all the construction equipment that’s around and some of it is going to wear and break down,” he says.

High-tech manufacturing

“They’re going to need them repaired and they will need it done in a hurry. That’s where we come in.”

Tatom Engineering operates from a modern machining workshop in Burnside, where it has mig, tig and arc welding machines, along with its specialist fluting and other machinery. “We can do repairs to castings and also cylindrical grinding up to 1.8m long,” says Shaskey. “We recently put in a large lathe after going to China and looking at the factory where they are made. The lathe has a large spindle bore and will take 210mm through the spindle, with a chuck at each end of the spindle. It’s a pretty big machine.”

Growth and success Shaskey says Tatom Engineering’s workload has been stable through the recession. He has not tried to grow the company too much in order to retain control over all operations. While his company came out unscathed from the recent Canterbury earthquake, he is

Tatom Engineering Limited 15 Holt Place Burnside Christchurch 8053 T (03) 358 5016 F (03) 358 5017 tatomengineering@xtra.co.nz — Advertising Feature

THE PROFESSIONALS Pleased to congratulate Tatom Engineering on their 50th Anniversary 100% Southern owned and operated

Ph 343 5555 Fax 384 3969 AH 383 3300 AH Mike 027 4 571 087 | AH David 0274 313 038 www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 47

Business Development | Alto Packaging

More than just fancy Packaging; it serves to protect, preserve, transport, inform and sell. Its uses are diverse and the process is fully integrated into government, business, institutional, industrial and personal use. Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale and use. It has been in existence for as long as humans have sought to transport goods and has diversified in nature, today encompassing the design, evaluation and production of packages. The first packages used the natural materials of the time — baskets of reeds, pottery vases,

Proud to be associated with Alto Packaging Ltd Providing partnership solutions in Import and Export Brokerage, Transport, Managed Warehousing and logistics to Canterbury business, since 1964. Contact us for an obligation free quote.

Phone 03 3392800 Fax 03 3392807

Email sales@wabrown.co.nz

Competitive position Alto Packaging has secured a strong position within New Zealand’s packaging industry, supplying its innovative and quality products to all industry sectors. Alto Packaging was formed 10 years ago but has operated as PDL Plastics for more than 60 years. Today the company employs more than 1000 staff across eight manufacturing plants in New Zealand and four recently acquired sites in Australia, working in three specific areas of the rigid plastics industry; extrusion thermo forming, blow moulding and injection moulding. The company operates a range of technology across all eight of its manufacturing sites Henderson, Albany, Hastings, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Naenae and Christchurch. However if we focus a little more on the Christchurch Plant it’s not all packaging for this growing company, Alto Packaging sales manager Keith Sinton says. “More than half the business in Christchurch specialises in engineering grade or technical injection moulded components.”

www.wabrown.co.nz

Suppliers of quality materials and equipment to the plastics industry of New Zealand

Proud to be associated with Alto Packaging Ltd Auckland (09) 526 2700 • Wellington (04) 233 6274 • Christchurch (03) 379 4271 Email: sales@tclhunt.co.nz www.tclhunt.co.nz 48 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

ceramic amphorae and woven bags. Today the packaging sector accounts for about two percent of the gross national product in developed countries with about half related to food packaging. The process is vital to ensuring the quality, health and safety of goods, in delaying spoilage of perishables and in branding and marketing. Packaged goods contribute hugely to the New Zealand economy. Its imperative nature requires companies who can actively compete on a global stage.

Continual acquisition of the latest technology has brought Alto to the forefront of the industry, allowing it to actively compete globally.

Significant investments in automation, technology and robotics have developed a state-of-the-art facility in Christchurch, Alto Packaging business manager Warren Batchelor says. “The Christchurch site is developing itself as the group’s centre for excellence in injection moulding.” This is supported by the company’s investments, Batchelor says. “We’ve been aggressively investing in new technology. It’s an extremely competitive industry and there’s continual pressure from offshore. We’re competing against low cost, low labour nations. “We know we need to continually invest to remain cost competitive in our domestic markets and overseas. That’s where the automation comes in; doing things smarter and better. Automation also allows us to produce extremely high quality products.” Sinton agrees and says the Christchurch site has put the company in an extremely competitive position. “We’re continually on the path of investment and growth and we’re actively pursuing offshore work. The target for the future is the trans-Tasman and bringing the work from Asia back to New Zealand. Warren and the team in Christchurch have done that and are competing well against Asia.” The Christchurch site has invested in a clean room facility to diversify into specialised medical products. A clean room is a controlled environment with a low level of environmental pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particles and chemical vapours. “We have invested in the clean room facility to support the site’s expansion into medical products and other sectors which require clean room manufacture,” Batchelor says.

Suppliers of Leading Technologies to the Plastics Industry Since 1972 Tasman Machinery Ltd. is proud to be associated with Alto Packaging Ltd. Phone. (03) 454 6996 Email. info@tasmanmachinery.co.nz

Business Development | Alto Packaging

wrapping The company recognises that accuracy and precision are particularly critical to the pharmaceutical and medical market. Alto designs and carefully manufactures a large range of complex, high-spec, specialist products for this sector. The Food Packaging and Technical Products division serves a variety of sectors, including food and beverage, cosmetics, haircare, pharmaceutical, home care, marine, military, agriculture and the electrical industry. Alto has a huge range of packaging containers in all shapes, sizes, materials, finishes and colours to meet the marketing needs of home and personal care producers and marketers.

by winning two gold, three silver and two bronze awards in the 2009 biennial awards. “Most of it is achieved through our design team, so it’s a great achievement for them,” Sinton says. “It’s also nice that the customers can get some recognition for designs we have worked on together. It shows these designs are unique, have a special purpose and achieve the customer’s desired end result.”

Product innovation “The depth of our technical expertise really sets us aside,” Alto Packaging business manager Warren Batchelor says. “The technical ability of our plant and what it can do, but also the range we can offer customers.

Alto has food and beverage packaging solutions for every market and every possible need, with hygiene, safety and security being a key focus of all designs. The food packaging division encompasses a wide range of products, including trays, tubs and icecream containers.

“We don’t just offer the basics of packaging and technical moulding — we offer the service of design and innovation and supply the best service that goes with that. Other areas of Alto can work together to provide a complete solution for customers.

Alto Packaging’s industrial division undertakes a large amount of blow moulding and manufactures containers from four litres to 200 litres for agricultural and industrial products. These packaging products are designed to be tough, strong, versatile, economic and proof against many dangerous and volatile chemicals and corrosive compounds. Alto can develop on-pack branding using a custom design that includes customers’ unique brand colour, as well as in-mould branding and labelling.

“Alto Christchurch is proud to be working alongside many of New Zealand’s leading companies including Coca Cola, Fonterra, Frucor, General Cable, Goodman Fielder, Olex Cables, Sanitarium and Schneider Electric.”

If accolades are any measure of success, Alto Packaging is one.

Accolades Alto Packaging’s innovative design and manufacturing have led the company to win a number of top awards over the years. The New Zealand Plastics Industry Design Awards are the New Zealand plastic industry’s opportunity to display the best of design, tool making and production techniques for the development of new and exciting plastic products by New Zealand companies. Alto Packaging reinforced its creative and innovative status in the New Zealand market

This product innovation is also offset by the company’s investment in the latest technology and equipment. “We have some of the latest technology in closure manufacturing and we produce dairy caps for brands like Anchor, Pams and Meadow Fresh,” Sinton says. “These closures have been a real success for the dairy companies, supermarkets and consumers.” Alto can produce a closure or customised solution to meet and exceed almost any need, regardless of the product, the container and however plain or elaborate the branding is. Another innovative product is the PLIX brand porous food trays, which eliminate the need for a soaker pad. Using proven technology and a completely new compound, Alto developed, tested and marketed the cost competitive, one piece foam tray for the Australasian market. The tray eliminates the need for an absorbent soaker pad, saving time and labour in the butcher department and the risk of cross contamination through accidental use of the soaker pad.

But product innovation wouldn’t be possible without the support of a talented and dedicated design team. Alto’s design and tool room facilities enable the company to offer a fully integrated product development, tooling manufacture and production service. Alto sales manager Keith Sinton says the company is probably one of the few Australasian packaging companies to offer a full design process in house. “We have several designers, each with different skills and we design the concept right through to the tooling. Whatever the customer requires we can provide the entire solution,” he says. Sinton says many of Alto’s product innovations are facilitated by the customer and market requirements. Alto Packaging exports some products to Australia and the Pacific Islands, with a large amount of its packaging exported by customers as part of their products. It’s the company’s customer focus which Sinton puts its success down to. “It’s about staying in

innovative solutions

front of the game in terms of technology and staying in front of our customers and working with them to deliver what they want.” Alto Packaging PO Box 419 Christchurch T (03) 379 2030 www.alto.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Alto Packaging Ltd.

Culamix is proud to be associated with Alto Packaging Ltd as a core business partner supplying premium colour systems. Culamix – supporting the New Zealand Plastics industry with innovative solutions CULAMIX 9 Te Apunga Place, Auckland Phone: 09 270 1555 Fax: 09 276 1093 Email: sales@culamix.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 49

Business Development | Fr8base

Storage, deliveries…

NOT just a base for freight…

sorted!

Fr8base in Christchurch is offering a unique transport and storage service to small freight companies, enabling them to better serve their customers in the highly competitive transport industry and benefit from reciprocal work in the network. Unique transport service Fr8base is an independent company set up to cater for the needs of transport operators by allowing them to share their services and costs. “We’re a base for freight,” owner Laurence (Griff) Griffin says. “Anyone who wants to come to Christchurch can use us as a depot or base. They can drop their goods off here and we can deliver them, or pick them up, as running around with a linehaul unit can add a lot of cost and time to the company. It keeps their costs down and if we get enough companies on board there’s a lot of reciprocal work opportunities.” Fr8base is working hard to attract transport operators who wish to reduce their costs and are not large enough to justify having their own depot in Christchurch.

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Ph: 03 344 1379 Fax: 03 344 1377 Mobile: 027 436 7238 www.csdphoenix.co.nz

50 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Fr8base offers a range of services, including storage, point-to-point deliveries, and urgent deliveries for small trucks or large truck and trailers. “Our motto is ‘parcels to pallets — across town, across country’. We can forward goods on or do it ourselves,” Griffin says. “We have a certain amount of storage and distribution for customers who want us to pick, pack and dispatch their product. We can be a one-stop shop.”

Fr8base can bring containers off the wharf, devan them, store the goods, then distribute them.

Reciprocal opportunities Griffin says the more companies who join the Fr8base network, the more reciprocal work everyone can benefit from. Businesses with goods to transport from Auckland to Invercargill need only to take them to Fr8base’s depot in Christchurch. The Auckland company might then transport someone else’s goods back home from within the network. “Companies can drop their goods off here and someone else can take them — it’s reciprocal. Auckland freight comes here and we distribute it. We will strip it and put it in its correct bays and ring those carriers to take it further south. The Auckland company knows its freight is going to be handled well,” Griffin says. “We will also come and get goods from around Christchurch if they run out of time.” Fr8base has its own fleet of five trucks, ranging from small 1.5-tonne trucks to complete 44-tonne truck-and-trailer units. It carries out transport work for its own clients, as well as working in with other transport companies who use its depot.

Sticking together Griffin says he has always believed there was an opening for small transport companies to stick together and not be monopolised by larger companies. “Unless the smaller companies stick together they can’t offer a good service to their customers, who want to only deal with one company,” he says. “We would like to provide the customers with that service by using other carriers.”

Business Development | Fr8base

Fr8base Limited will soon be providing a training service to transport and freight operators wishing to maximise their loading opportunities while reducing damage and cost. Owner Laurence (Griff) Griffin says the company is in the processing of employing someone with extensive experience throughout New Zealand and Australia in loading and unloading line haul units. “He will be available for companies loading units at night time. He can do in-house training on safety procedures, unit utilisation, weight distribution, minimising damages and paperwork procedures,” Griffin says. “He will be a loader/trainer. He will be available to go and train people up, which can save the business owner money as they will have a loader trained up properly. He will be training in dangerous goods and how to have your units loaded and utilised to the max.”

Extensive transport experience Fr8base was formed in 2006 by Griffin and his wife Shirley, who both work full-time in the business as manager and financial manager respectively. Their daughter Luana is also employed in sales and operations management, after working in transport in Australia for the past three years. Griffin has a long history within the transport industry, having operated his own company in Invercargill for 10 years, as well as driving a range of trucks for a further 15 years. Luana has worked within the trucking industry for seven years, and Shirley for 15. Fr8base also employs one permanent driver and several temporary drivers. In addition, Fr8base helps train CPIT students studying within the transport industry. “We take students on through a work scheme and bring them up through the ranks,” Griffin says. “We have some good guys through here and it gives them the practical job experience they need.” While business has been tough during the recession, Fr8base is now starting to see

opportunities for growth. “We’re getting a good response from the transport industry. The company is an independent freight carrier. We have a 6000sqm site in Calgary Place, with an 1100sqm building. We’re looking for new people who want to join the network,” Griffin says. “We have a customer in Oamaru who said he doesn’t know how they ever operated without a depot in Christchurch. He knows he can drop goods off here and have them picked up, saving time and running costs of linehaul trucks, while enabling capacity loading instead of having to move freight while doing pick ups.”

Growing the business Fr8base is hoping to grow its container devanning and storage work. Its service is ideal for importers wanting to bring containers in, as they can be de-vanned and stored at the Fr8base depot, with the goods then dispatched and delivered.

Laurence “Griff” Griffin and his daughter Luana. Griff and his wife Shirley formed Fr8base in 2006 and both work full-time in the business. Luana is employed in sales and operations management, after working in transport in Australia for the past three years

North Otago Freight Ltd.

Proud to be associated with Fr8base Ltd.

Griffin says when it comes to the transport industry, big is not necessarily better. “When you ring someone here you talk to someone who has an ownership in the business. We’ve got plans for my daughter Luana to step up to a more management role and we’re looking to employ another staff member. “We offer personal service and flexibility. We can do anything, any time, anywhere, urgent or not urgent. We’re in a service industry and we aim to please — all we have to sell is our service,” Griffin says. “We would like to send our thoughts out to all that have been affected by the recent earthquake disaster. We have available storage and yard space at a reduced rate to help affected businesses and home owners. Please don’t hesitate to call, as Fr8base was fortunate not to sustain damage.” Fr8base Limited 21 Calgary Place Hornby, Christchurch T (03) 349 2610 027 452 1924 www.fr8base.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Oamaru - Christchurch Return Daily, General Freight Oamaru - Christchurch - Dunedin - Invercargill Return Daily Hiab truck for hire

PH 03 433 1046 www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 51

Business Development | New Century Press

Six decades of printing experience 

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Christchurch’s New Century Press is proving success isn’t about throwing away the past with its offset printing processes proving to be as popular as ever.

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Established in 1950 by Graham Butterfield, New Century Press caters for a diverse range of clientele around the Canterbury region. The business started in the back shed of Butterfield’s Mersey Street, St Albans, family home. Early customers for printing services included infamous cleric Canon Bob Lowe. The business went from strength to strength and in 1967, moved to Barbadoes Street. Nine years later the company moved to its own factory on Tuam Street. Before long New Century Press had outgrown the premises and a move to Madras Street preceded the 1984 move to its current Cashel Street location. Eventually the business moved into the second generation of family ownership and is now run by Butterfield’s sons Craig and Bryce.

New Century Press services  Letterheads  Compliments slips

Offset printing became the dominant form of commercial printing in the 1970s as improvements were made in plates, ink and paper, maximising the technique’s superior production speed and plate durability.

 Business cards  Rack cards  Brochures and flyers  Invoice and order books

New Century Press quickly adopted the process and maintains its offset printing capabilities in the face of market gains by digital printing.

 Envelopes  Pads

“As far as technology goes, I feel there is space in the market for offset and digital processes to go hand in hand,” Craig Butterfield says.

 Books and magazines

“Each has its own place in the market. Offset printing is best suited for cost effectively producing large volumes of high quality prints in an economically sound manner, which requires little maintenance.”

 Self adhesive labels and swing tags

 Newsletters

 A1 size printing (posters)  Wire-o-binding

Forefront

 Stationery

New Century Press has always been at the forefront of innovation for mid-range operators in the printing industry. “We were one of the first mid-sized printers to put in an A1 printing machine. This allowed us to produce larger products such as wall planners, streamline our housie card print run and open up new markets.”

 Folding/collating/ perforating/numbering

It’s certainly been a good strategy for the business which has built up a diverse clientele, ranging from sole charge operators through to franchises and corporates. Products are

 Laminating  Shrink wrapping.

equally as diverse, ranging from letterheads and brochures, through to stationery, books and magazines. Services include folding, collating,

stapling and laminating. New Century Press also produces its own products, including housie cards, point of sale stickers, large font housie cards for use in rest homes and a vast range of fundraising merchandise. “We’re all putting ink to paper,” Craig laughs about the competitive industry. “But we’re a small, personal business which allows us to have greater control over the job.

Complete Design & Commercial Colour Printing

Letterheads / Compliment Slips Business Cards / Rack Cards Brochures & Flyers (Coloured or Black on White) Invoice Books / Order Books etc Envelopes / Pads / Stationery Books & Magazine / Newsletters Self Adhesive Labels & Swings Tags Raffle Tickets / Programmes & Invitations Large A1 size printing (Posters) Wire-o-binding Folding / Collating / Perforating / Numbering Laminating / Shrink Wrapping

Proud to be suppliers of Fuji printing plates and camera film to New Century Press

“If a client needs a job done in a hurry we can arrange it. Our success is a combination of

quality and good pricing. We don’t keep people waiting. If we have a deadline, we stick to it. “We’re been around for 60 years and we are going to be around for many, many more years to come.” New Century Press 344 Cashel Street Christchurch T (03) 366 6858 E newcent@clear.net.nz — Advertising Feature

A VALUED MEMBER OF THE WALKER DAVEY FAMILY We are proud to be associated with and to provide professional business support to NEW CENTURY PRESS LTD. We congratulate them on being in business for over 50 years.

Visit our web site for a range of pre-press supplies, specialist printing

Walker Davey Ltd has a long history of involvement in Canterbury business. We can help you too, by providing professional business advice no matter what size or industry you are involved in. We are committed to forming close partnerships with our clients. This way we can understand your unique situation and customise the assistance we provide to suit your needs. Our commitment to excellence is evident in the hardworking nature of our staff, and the exceptional service we offer.

related test equipment, large format

Contact Craig Burrowes or Matt Donaldson on 03 3791 620 or visit www.walkerdavey.co.nz

printer media, digital camera wet

Please do not hesitate to ask for a FREE no obligation quote

344 Cashel St, Christchurch Phone & Fax. 03 3666 858 Email. newcent@clear.net.nz 52 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

weather covers and housings. www.printdotcom.co.nz

Business Development | Giera Progressive First National

Real estate firms realise joint ambition The Giera Progressive First National real estate sales team (left) is expertly guided by Joe and Sue Mullins and Murray Giera (right).

For almost half of human history, our ancestors moved to follow the four legged food supplies of their respective areas, leaving only traces of their existence — a cave painting here, some stone axes there. They did eventually abandon the huntergatherer lifestyle, marking the transition toward an agrarian society, a transition that also heralded the advent of land ownership.

But as with many stories, success is often a combination of factors. For Progressive Realty, it is the recent merger with another big name in the business, Giera First National. As two of the leading real estate offices in the region, they have come together under the Giera Progressive First National banner, specialising in real estate sales, property management, valuations, commercial sales and leasing.

The mammoth industry which is real estate demands strength of will, determination and honesty and it’s these attributes which guarantee success within it.

The move provides immeasurable benefits to both the companies and clients alike. “The merger will give much more strength to the two existing models. We’re incorporating the sales teams, which is effectively doubling the numbers and creating a stronger unit,” Joe Mullins says. “We’re two very strong companies with impeccable reputations and the cultures fitted; so essentially while we are both strong on our own, the merger will make us bigger and better yet.”

Joe Mullins and his wife Sue seem to have a knack for pulling through where others have failed. Their company, Progressive Realty, is part of the First National real estate group — one of the largest of its kind and aptly named for being the first stop for tens of thousands of property buyers and sellers throughout the country. Progressive Realty specialises in real estate and property management in north west Christchurch. The Progressive banner is an apt

The pairing is a striking one, with 70 years experience between the directors. “The biggest focus for the new partnership is customer service and backup,” Giera director Murray Giera says. “We aim to give totally superior backup and support levels to our sales team. This is about providing our team with the tools, materials, backup and facilities they need to give them the edge and to give their clients a superior result. Essentially our clients are our staff too. We work for them and if we can serve their needs the best we can, we will surpass their expectations.”

This led to the rise of the concept ‘those who could defend the land kept it,’ becoming the foundation capitalism was built on — that he who owns the land, controls its resources, and land became a commodity you can buy, sell and rent.

The Giera Progressive First National property management team (left) and the admin team (below).

play on words for a company which progressively strives for the best in all its endeavours.

To meet their own high service expectations, they have appointed a customer service and marketing

manager, Hayley Pope, to facilitate the company’s presence. “Repeat and referral business stands as testament to the success of this,” Sue Mullins says. “Seventy-five percent of our current business is repeat and referral business. We are providing such exceptional customer service that our customers don’t want to go elsewhere.” The merger will also allow the company to extend its property management service. “The maturity of our property management service through the amalgamation is notable,” Giera says. “We provide a very comprehensive property management service including body corporate management and maintenance of apartment blocks.” But it’s not just the community’s buying, leasing and selling needs Giera Progressive First National is

meeting. Its ‘Pay It Forward’ programme is gaining momentum as more become aware of it. In their bimonthly newsletter Giera Progressive Chat, a deserving local organisation receives cash, goods or services to the value of $500 to make a positive difference in the community. “We are passionate about this programme, supporting the community which has supported us throughout the years,” Sue Mullins says. Giera Progressive First National 247 Waimairi Road Ilam, Christchurch T (03) 358 9088 E reception@progressiverealty.co.nz www.progressiverealty.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Accountants & business advisors

PKF Goldsmith Fox Christchurch, New Zealand

Our aim is to provide you with advice when your business needs it - not just when you ask for it. We’ll help you manage every aspect of your business, and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice will be tailored to your business. We’ve developed our traditional auditing and accounting practice into innovative client-focused services. Our flexibility & adaptability will ensure we can help you get the best results.

Level 1, 250 Oxford Terrace Charles Luney House, Christchurch P. 366 6706 | F. 366 0265 info@pkfgf.co.nz | www.pkfgf.co.nz

We’re looking for astute business leaders who aspire to operate their own Real Estate business. Desirable South Island locations. Very low set up. Call me now, Lance Eccles, South Island manager First National Real Estate 0274 880 872

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 53

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On site, on time, every time

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Business Development | SB Global Logostics

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SB Global Logistics services:  SB Worldwide Express — established

 SB Customs — operates a full

 SB Air Consol — regular consolidated

 SB Warehousing and Distribution/3PL

to cater for time sensitive freight

Proud to support S B Global Logistics

It’s a fact of life that the world is full of obstacles — some anticipated, others unexpected. To overcome one of the greatest obstacles — the tyranny of distance — a New Zealand company has long been revolutionising the way its clients move forward. Operating with the objective of “on site, on time” for its freight forwarding and global logistic services, SB Global Logistics has always focused on its clients’ goals and finding a solution. As an experienced freight forwarder and member of the Customer Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand, the company is used to participating in a highly commercial climate. With two decades of experience behind it, SB Global Logistics delivers a range of freight forwarding and logistics services for importers, exporters, sporting events or special projects.

services into and out of many major destinations, worldwide

 SB Ocean — a comprehensive global seafreight service handling all types of cargo

 SB Projects — designed to handle any freight that is oversized or of extreme weight or measurement

General manager Reon Edwards says the company has diversified significantly since inception. “Being an agile and responsive business, we have evolved as customers needs have changed over the years. As a result we have moved beyond the realms of a traditional freight forwarding operation.” With the implementation of efficient tracking systems, SB Global Logistics can provide clients with comprehensive and timely updates regarding delivery status. The company has also made significant investments in Radio Frequency (RF) wireless technology, Electronic Data Interface Integration (EDI) and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tools. In 2008, SB Global Logistics was the recipient of the Canterbury Exports Service Provider of the Year Award. “That award tells a lot about what

Oceanbridge enjoys its relationship with SB Logistics and we wish them all the best for their future

Auckland

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Christchurch

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Tauranga

— offers conventional packaging and distribution services, as well as comprehensive inventory management for warehoused clients

 SB Wine Logistics — simple booking

procedures, consolidated services, insurance, safe and secure packaging and the expertise of qualified staff. Wine deliveries can be made via an efficient global network.

we’ve done well,” Edwards says. “We strive to be a highly respected company and our team is 100 percent committed to excellence.” Having renewed its partnership with DB Schenker — the second largest freight forwarder in the world — in November 2009, SB Global Logistics is focused on maintaining this professional relationship, as well as nurturing its client base. “We will continue to focus on what more we can do for our existing customers and always look to develop our staff within the business,” Edwards says. SB Global Logistics PO Box 14-232 Christchurch Airport Christchurch 8544 T (03) 358 7850 F (03) 358 7852 www.sbinfo.co.nz — Advertising Feature

At Grant Thornton we see business as more than numbers. For us it’s people, which is why we are proud to support S B Global Logistics. At Grant Thornton we help business owners achieve success and realise their ambitions. If you would like help moving your business forward, contact us for a meeting.

L5, Grant Thornton House 47 CathedralSquare Christchurch T (0)3 379 9580 F (0)3 366 3720 E info.christchurch@nz.gt.com W www.grantthornton.co.nz

54 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

computerised entry prepation system with a direct EDI link to New Zealand

SB Global Logistics.

The battle against plastic In 2000, Dianne Collins was diagnosed with cancer. She was only 61. Her son, Gary began to research the issue, looking for answers. What caused cancer and how it could be stopped were questions that began to plague his mind. In Gary’s research, the same word kept coming up in all the information he read. A chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) was increasingly being questioned by reputable doctors and researchers and was being reported in mainstream health magazines.

In fact, all commercial hospitality cooking equipment is made in stainless steel for this reason. And because they are stainless steel they can be reused again and again – no more plastic clogging up our landfills or killing our vulnerable sea creatures.

How often is our tap water regulated?

The problem with BPA is it behaves similarly to estrogen. When enough of this accumulates in the body there can be negative health effects – that’s why BPA has been linked to obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and hyperactivity.

SafeBottles come in 500, 750 and 1000ml varieties and are in a variety of designs and colours. SafeBottles can use a custom-made design, making them the perfect choice for a sports team.

Locally, the supply is owned by a local authority such as a district or city council, who extracts the water, runs the treatment plant to remove contaminants and pipes the water to your door. Under the DrinkingWater Standards for New Zealand 2005 (which applies to private and public water supplies, but not bottled water!), they are expected to test the water regularly to ensure it is safe.

Gary’s mum died in 2001. But he couldn’t forget about the issues he’d come across. “I discovered many possible causes of cancer that I’d never heard of before, and whether it’s a conspiracy, or simply ignorance by us, the general public, I feel it’s time people became aware of some of these issues.” While BPA exists only in some plastic bottles, our standard day to day plastic bottles can leak out other toxic chemicals such as phthalates and antimony when scratched or heated. The more he read about plastic bottles, the more the self-described ‘non-greenie’ came across uncomfortable facts about the environmental problems these drink bottles cause. Plastic bottles are a petroleum product and use 151 billion litres of oil to produce each year. That’s enough to run 500,000 cars per year. In New Zealand, 78 percent of the time these bottles are not recycled and they go to landfills, where 700 years later they start to decompose. A significant amount of the world’s plastic winds up at sea. There’s an area estimated to be the size of Texas (some say twice the size) in the Pacific Ocean known as the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’, a floating mass of plastic rubbish. A lot of this plastic that ends up at sea gets eaten by hungry animals thinking it’s food. Many researches and environmental organisations list plastic as the number one threat to our marine environment. All of this research inspired Gary to act. As the CEO of several successful New Zealand businesses, he turned his entrepreneurial eye to a solution that would stop people from using the chemical ridden and environmentally devastating plastic bottles. The culmination of his research, and arguably one answer in the fight against cancer and environmental harm, is this September SafeBottles will be officially launched. These BPA-free bottles are made from high quality stainless steel. Unlike aluminium, the inside isn’t coated with an epoxy lining, which becomes dangerous if scratched.

Within a typical CBD, it’s easy to count how many free water fountains there are – usually about three, all within parks. However, corner dairies and supermarkets selling plastic drink bottles are ubiquitous – there’s one on every street. Gary’s grand vision for SafeBottles involves paying for a drinking fountain giving free water at petrol stations. He hopes thirsty customers would bring their SafeBottles with them, re-fill and drive away

“A chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) was increasingly being questioned by reputable doctors and researchers and was being reported in mainstream health magazines.” without buying a plastic bottle while they bought their petrol. This might cut down on the 168 plastic bottles the average Kiwi buys a year.

The battle against plastic What percentage of plastics used in New Zealand are recycled?

Three organisations are concerned with the provision of safe and wholesome drinking-water to any community in New Zealand, one at the local level, one regional and one with a national perspective.

The Ministry of Health, through the provision of standards, guidelines and other tools, has a national function to ensure regulations are in place. It works at the regional level through District Health Boards (DHBs). Each DHB is expected to oversee the local authorities and ensure, through auditing measures, that the local bodies are maintaining appropriate water quality. Underlying the standards and processes is the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007 and the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2005.

How often is the bottled water industry in New Zealand regulated? Bottled water has far fewer health and safety standards to which it must conform to than municipal supplies. Bottled water simply has to comply to the Food Act 1981. It is also regulated as a packaged food product by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Its regulations are scrutinised by one body, whereas tap water is monitored by three separate organisations. Call 0800 777 444, text SAFE to 244 or go to our website www.safebottles.co.nz to order your SafeBottle today. SafeBottles Level 3, 818 Colombo Street PO Box 1879, Christchurch 8140

The figure is growing - in 2000, 26,702 tonnes of plastic was recycled. Two years later the figure had increased to 30,190 tonnes. Still, from our 242,000 tonnes of annual production, a shocking 190,000 tonnes is still being sent to New Zealand landfills every year - just 52,000 tonnes being recycled.

How many plastic bottles are made and/or consumed in New Zealand? In 2003, 125,955 tonnes of plastic packaging were produced in New Zealand. The average New Zealander uses about 31kg of plastic packaging each year. Globally each year we drink 30 billion throwaway bottles of water - that’s 2.7 million tonnes of plastic.

Gary Collins Managing Director

Call 0800 777 444, text SAFE to 244 or go to our website www.safebottles.co.nz to order your SafeBottle today www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 55

hope

Initiatives | Bright Hope World

Delivering Rob Purdue knew when he went to Fiji at age 20 that it was going to be a life-changing experience. He was spending three weeks, not on the beach as a tourist, but working with poor tribal people.

His trip to Fiji, along with his strong Christian faith, guided him into a lifetime of work helping the poor. But over time, he noticed something wasn’t quite right. He watched with concern the increasing amount of aid money going into overheads and administration, the inappropriate delivery of aid and relief, the waste of resources and the lack of real partnership. Rob and his wife Heather made the decision to start something different. Bright Hope World was launched in 1992 as a low cost, grass roots organisation based on partnerships with indigenous people living in the poorest areas of the world. “Most of all we are here for the people who desperately need our help. We are unashamedly field driven. The needs of our partners come first. That is our core value as an organisation,” Bright Hope World strategy and media director Fraser Scott says. Today Bright Hope World is established in excess of 20 countries, directly impacting over 5000 families. It has more than 3,000 orphaned and vulnerable children being cared for and educated and indirectly touches more than 40,000 people per year.

Community to community Bright Hope World believes that the most effective and efficient way to have a real impact on communities and individuals in the developing world is to do so in partnership with

A worker tends to a resident at the Home of Hope in Bangalore, India

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KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • JOINERY

P. 0 3 3 7 9 6 8 4 0

F. 0 3 3 7 9 6 8 4 2

Christchurch, manufacturers of hand crafted kitchens, bathrooms and quality timber joinery

Partnership with local people is a major reason why Bright Hope World is so cost effective and can have such a wide global impact on a modest budget. Another reason is its attitude towards administration costs. A small, efficient team made up of volunteers and staff is totally self-supported or self-funded. This means no donations given to Bright Hope World are used to pay staff and the charity actively tries to raise funds independently to pay for other administration costs. “Our aim is for 100 percent of all funds given to Bright Hope World to go directly to the field. At the moment at least 90 percent of donations go directly to our partners and in many cases it’s 100 percent,” Scott says. “Bright Hope World is committed to making a real impact in the lives of the poorest of the poor and to do it as cost effectively as possible.”

Graeme K. Marshall LAWYER

Proudly Supporting Bright Hope World. I can assist you with buying or selling your home, Wills, Trusts, and general legal matters. 90 Totara Street Fendalton Christchurch New Zealand PO Box 1522 Christchurch 8140 DX WP 20508

56 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

“Instead we engage indigenous people and groups with a real passion for their own people and who are already making a real difference in the lives of people. They are the ones with whom we form partnerships to assist and support their own vision and strategies. These people are the most ‘valuable asset’ within the Bright Hope World family.”

A typical home in Chaba, Zambia, where Bright Hope supports orphans to go to school

SYDENHAM J O I N E R Y

key people in those communities. Bright Hope World does not just roll into communities and launch into a new project, Scott says.

Telephone: 03 348 8840 Facsimile: 03 348 8849 E-mail: graeme@gkmlaw.co.nz

Initiatives | Bright Hope World

A school in Kaishe, Zambia where Bright Hope funds orphans’ education, plus trains locals in farming, tailoring and carpentry

Partnerships Bright Hope World works with grass roots organisations around the world. From Pakistan to the Philippines, from Ethiopia to Ecuador, Bright Hope World tries to work with any organisation that has the same philosophy as they do — to help the poor regardless of their gender, religion or ethnicity. An example of one of their partnerships is the ‘Home of Hope’ in Bangalore, India, which Fraser Scott has visited several times. “You find yourself in tears two minutes after entering, not so much from the tragedy of it, but because of the love and compassion of the man that runs it,” he says. A man known locally as Auto Raja, who was formerly a criminal, turned his life around when he became inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan. He bought himself an ambulance and started driving around Bangalore, taking ill and injured people to his home to look after. “He gives dignity in death, but he has also nursed a lot of people back to health.” Home of Hope currently has a facility which houses 300 people. Bright Hope World has recently raised $70,000 to build a new facility to house the children that live in the home. Scott remembers visiting Home of Hope and meeting a “beautiful” young girl who had been thrown into a rubbish heap as a newborn by parents who could not care for her. A dog had attacked her and eaten one of her eyes. Raja rescued her and is now sending her to school. “She is just the most beautiful little girl, she was really happy — that’s just one of hundreds of stories like that, where people had been abandoned or neglected and this guy, out of compassion, has picked them up and taken them to live with him.”

La Mai coffee The north of Thailand is often called the ‘Golden Triangle’ because it is infamous for growing poppies which are turned into heroin and sold illegally around the world. Bright Hope World has partnered with Thai co-operatives to help these poppy growers switch to coffee growing. Other than helping people move away from the drug trade, there have been other positive spin-offs. “They actually make more money from growing coffee, which we pay above fair trade rates for. It was the ‘middle men’ who made the money from opium,” Bright Hope World strategy and media director Fraser Scott says. Bright Hope invests in helping growers improve their coffee, by introducing the concepts of organic growing and shade trees. Over time, they have become credible in the eyes of the “tough” hill country people by buying their crop and improving their marketing techniques.

Another positive spin-off from the profits of the coffee is that the families now have enough money to keep their daughters at home with them, instead of selling them into prostitution. There are up to a million prostitutes in Thailand. It is big business, which brings in more to the Thailand GDP than agriculture does in New Zealand. “Bright Hope partners with agencies trying to combat what is one of the most brutal and degrading activities anywhere in the world,” Scott says. “We help rescue girls already trapped in prostitution, training them for a better life, and we work to educate and train young girls in North Thailand so they never get involved. “By buying La Mai coffee you are making a difference. All of the profit goes back into Thailand to rescue trapped girls and prevent the next generation getting involved.”

Coffee for the office If this coffee sounds like something you’d like to support, but you are unsure if you can afford to buy expensive coffee, think again. La Mai coffee is competitively priced —

usually the same as other quality coffees, or potentially even cheaper. Bright Hope World currently sells La Mai coffee through churches and through regular customers who order from their website, but Scott says they are trying to tap into the business market. “We’d love to sell our coffee to offices. You won’t pay extra for it and you know all the proceeds are going to support something fair trade and organic — and an incredible cause.”

Coffee as a gift Another option for businesses is giving La Mai coffee as a gift to staff or clients at the end of the year. Bright Hope World can send a bag of freshly roasted coffee to the recipient every week, fortnight or month of the year. It’s the perfect way to give twice — to staff or clients, and to the Thai families who benefit from having an honest source of income that allows them to keep their daughters safely at home. Above: A family of Karen villagers in the north Thailand coffee plantations where La Mai coffee is sourced

Bright Hope World donations also go to funding food, bedding and other costs of running the Home of Hope facility.

How to donate Bright Hope World wants to achieve the lowest administration levels possible. “To do this, we prefer donors to contribute to our Priority Account. This helps keep costs to a minimum and money goes directly to where it is most needed. By doing this you have an impact on every project, not just one in particular.” Money given to part or all of a specific project that is not already fully funded will only have a maximum of 10 percent withheld for administration costs. Bright Hope World PO Box 8928 Christchurch T (03) 341 0933 E admin@brighthopeworld.com www.brighthopeworld.com www.lamai.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Neil S France

Pleased to be associated with Bright Hope World Suppliers and Installers of Commercial & Residential Roofing Systems

“Williment Travel Group Christchurch are proud to support

Bright Hope World. We look forward to making your arrangements for your next trip.”

Please contact Tracey

Phone 03-348 0035 / 0274 334 332

www.avonroofing.co.nz

Ph. 03 963 7000 or 0508 30 40 50 Email. tracey.macleod@williment.co.nz

Pleased to be associated with Bright Hope World 575 Colombo Street, Christchurch PO Box 37077, Christchurch Phone: 03 365 4455 Fax: 03 365 4787 Web: www.nsfrance.co.nz Email: neil@nsfrance.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 57

Initiatives | Dress for Success

MAKING THAT vital first impression …

inning from adversity

… shattered foundations and broken dreams … By Mary Pattison-Sinden

On September 1, 2002, my life turned upside down with the passing of my beautiful 24 year old daughter Monique, instantly, in a motor vehicle accident in the North Island. Practical support and knowing she looked the part gave Deb the confidence to shine in her interview

I came to Christchurch to start a new life in November 2009 and the 8th anniversary of Monique’s death arrived just three days before the Canterbury earthquake of September 4. Gratefully I am connected to 400,000 Cantabrians — joined by a common thread of recovery in support of each other in the wake of what is New Zealand’s biggest natural disaster in modern history. Regarding community support, the Civil Defence of New Zealand, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and the Prime Minister John Key have created an environment that is the envy of the world. With reassurance and confidence they inspired us all to find the strength in order to get through and move forward. Thank you from us all.

Every year thousands of disadvantaged women throughout Christchurch struggle to join the workforce, facing fundamental challenges to even get to the point of having an interview. Dress for Success Christchurch provides the vital, practical support that helps them turn their lives around. The president of Dress for Success Christchurch, Storm McVay, says while these women come from all walks of life, the majority are from the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum. “They may never have worked or have lost their jobs or find themselves alone and unsupported. Consequently they lack confidence and the means to present themselves appropriately for an interview.”

tops

“They are able to see themselves, sometimes for the first time, as someone capable of doing a job and deserving of the opportunity to try.”

Dress for Success Christchurch relies principally upon trust and other grants and public support, fundraising over $100,000 each year in order to continue operating.

During the seven years in which the Christchurch branch has been operating, McVay says they

have assisted more than 2000 women. “We have seen how clients’ confidence increases dramatically when they are provided with the assisted opportunity to present themselves well.

The positive impact extends to families. “Their children are not only better provided for but grow up in an environment where paid employment is seen as an achievable goal.”

This is where Dress for Success comes in. It provides free, high quality, interview appropriate clothing and accessories in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, delivered by trained volunteer stylists. Once these women get a job, they are invited back for a further dressing and are offered ongoing support such as regular opportunities to hear speakers, and meet and network with other women in the same position.

d re s s e s

While Monique was at Otago University, I went through a difficult time. I cherish what she wrote to me and now I would like to share it with you: “When you are alone and lost in a world full of other people’s happiness, just know that your own world of happiness is out there just waiting for you to find it.”

Dress for Success T (03) 379 3752 E dressforsuccesschch@xtra.co.nz

If I am able to help strengthen your spirit, then her life is not in vain. I believe we are responsible for ourselves and those closest to us, be it mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually — particularly now in recovery from our natural disaster.

Support is there for us; we just have to ask. We also have to be kind to ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us. Life happens ‘for us — not to us’. Yes, even in the event of a major natural disaster, even after the fear of not knowing if we were going to live or die. And because of this we all have our own, amazing story to tell. For me it was dark, noisy and terrifying. I felt powerless, abused and shaken to within an inch of my life. It was another wake-up call; so now to reflect on what really matters. As the morning dawned my mental, physical, emotional and spiritual parts were a jumble of imagining the worst. There would have been insecurity for many and fears for personal safety… doubts about everything. We have learned much about ourselves and others as the earthquake and aftershocks have left a state of uncertainty. The miracle is that we were spared losing our loved ones. This a very special time! A time that is about the people of Canterbury, a time of recovery and courage and, perhaps most importantly, it is about one day at a time. My Dad was nine years of age when he was at school in Napier when their earthquake struck in 1931. He spoke of it all his life as if it happened yesterday. We are fortunate because support is there for us. I don’t believe he had that opportunity. More helpful thoughts about winning from adversity are on www.magazinestoday.co.nz

“When you ar e alone and lost in a w orld full of other people ’s happiness, just know that your own world of happ iness is out there just waiting for you to find it.”

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She left me a small financial gift, which took me to San Diego to train as a life coach. ‘Coaching the Human Spirit’, my gift from adversity, was immeasurable and that gift is driving me to share it with you now.

We are on the way to an enriched fulfilling life and this is an exciting journey. We recover in our own time, our own way and that is perfect — without limitations or expectations.

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58 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Mary Pattison-Sinden Life Coach CLC, member of ICF T 027 274 4235 E birthdate2911@xtra.co.nz

Initiatives | Annesbrook Church

More than a matter of

faith For many, the word ‘church’ conjures up images of oldfashioned hymns, little old ladies and long boring sermons. At Annesbrook Church however, there’s a different story. Sixteen years ago, when Pastor Brent Liebezeit took over Annesbrook Church in Nelson, there were 80 members and an out-dated vibe. He felt it needed a shake-up. “The core message of Christianity is always the same — but the way it is delivered has got to change with the times.” He mixed it up by using modern music to communicate Christian values, introducing a raft of youth programmes and focusing his preaching on life issues rather than exploring in-depth theology. The church now has more than 1000 members and has a huge appeal to younger people, especially with the modern music their Christian bands perform (and often write themselves) being part of services. There are still sermons and programmes for older people too. “Our church is like a family,” Liebezeit explains. “This is a family you can belong to. Here, church is a safe place to come.” Annesbrook Church offers programmes for the community, regardless of their faith. “Our programmes are secular — they are not about ‘bible bashing’ or telling people about Jesus, just about serving the needs of our community. Lots of the people connected with our services wouldn’t think about coming to church.”

Services provided  Health Ensuring the community are healthy in mind and body is a priority at Annesbrook. For example, Annesbrook Church held a ‘Woman’s Health and Wellbeing’ day recently. Women who participated were given information, offered free health checks and listened to seminars on health and wellbeing issues.

 Counselling

Annesbrook runs a performing arts school. It teaches many styles of dance such as jazz, hip hop, tap, and ballet, for preschoolers right through to adults. The Performing Arts school also has guitar, drums and drama lessons. “We have fully qualified teachers and tutors that are experienced and very passionate about what they do,” Liebezeit says.

Nelson and Christchurch Eighteen months ago, the Nelson Annesbrook Church took on a struggling church in

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The Annesbrook Community Trust has three qualified counsellors working with it. Each offers counselling in their own areas of expertise, from mental, emotional and addiction problems, relationship difficulties, issues specific to men and women, loss and grief to trauma recovery.

 Performing arts

 Budgeting advice Annesbrook offers a budgeting advice service, which has been of great use to the community, particularly in the economically tough last couple of years.

 Leadership Annesbrook runs leadership courses for young people, empowering them to become leaders in business and in their own lives. This college is NZQA accredited, meaning students can apply for student loans and allowances.

 Confidence Annesbrook runs a ‘Shine’ programme for teenage girls to build their self-esteem. “It teaches them about values, acceptance and belonging,” Liebezeit says.

Christchurch with 30 people in attendance. They now have more than 70 members and meet on Sundays at Windsor Park School hall. There are already some excellent youth services in place, and Liebezeit hopes to soon offer the Christchurch community the services Annesbrook is able to offer in Nelson. “As well as expanding into Christchurch, we also hope to help other churches in other cities around the country,” Liebezeit says. “We are a church that is believing we’re here to reach people for Jesus Christ, to empower

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 59

Earthquakes and Hazardous Chemicals. In the wake of the earthquake devastation in Christchurch; one thing stood out for one Logistics company in Hornby – the outstanding support of its staff and local contractors. Chemical Freight Services Ltd (Chemfreight) has been storing and distributing Dangerous goods in the South Island since 1994. Its SI Base in Christchurch boasts state of the art facilities built in 2006 under the HASNO regulations. During the recent quake one of the four stores at the location sustained considerable damage to racking and product but Chemfreight staff and contractors were able to salvage, clean up, re rack and open again for normal business within 2 weeks. Throughout the clean up process Chemfreight was able to effect critical urgent deliveries on behalf of its customers and receive cargo, even though resources were limited. On the day of the quake the Managing Director & Owner, Harry Price flew in on the first available flight and by Sunday morning had flown in a team of experienced volunteers from the Auckland staff to assist him and the Christchurch recovery team. Spilt chemicals amongst mangled racking proved difficult and extremely hazardous to deal with and highlighted the importance of Chemfreight’s policy of having certified handlers with experience and a broad product knowledge on hand. Work began immediately on the Sunday and continued for 2 weeks solid involving many local contractors who went beyond the call of duty to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. These difficult situations can bring out the best in people and in this case was demonstrated by the camaraderie that developed between all of the crews pulling together to achieve a common goal in the face of continuing earth tremors. Having the specialist DG facilities also assisted the clean up operation as the site has not only individually contained warehouses to enable ease of product relocation and spill retention; it also has inbuilt isolation tanks which proved invaluable for the clean up of waste. This ability to isolate product and retain on site (including storm water shut off) is a major feature of these custom built facilities. Price is quick to note that the Class 3 store sustained minimal damage in the quake and therefore the full foam in-rack fire fighting system was not activated. Three days following the quake a visit by Environmental Canterbury staff inspecting high risk sites, supported Chemfreight’s approach to the recovery process, reinforcing their well constructed & relevant Emergency Response, Health & Safety and Environmental Management plans. Price points out it pays to plan and ensure you have the correct equipment including PPE & Breathing Aparatus on site for just such events. Chemfreight commenced trading in Auckland in 1989. The brainchild of Harry Price, an ex Wellington lad, it started in a small warehouse in East Tamaki. Price had the background and vision to realize the move towards 3rd Party Logistics in the niche Chemicals market and over the next 20 odd years invested in this future, culminating in not just the Christchurch facility but impressive purpose built premises in Stonedon Drive, East Tamaki. Another two warehouses in Auckland have been added to this stable over the last 2 years as demand for Chemfreight’s compliant specialist facilities continues to grow. Clients have recognized the difficulties of meeting changing DG legislation and ensuring safe storage of hazardous goods and therefore have turned to the professional specialist services of companies like Chemfreight to meet their ongoing needs of compliant storage and transportation. Price is a hands on leader who has surrounded himself in highly motivated and competent staff ensuring a depth of knowledge within the organization. Thus, it was not unusual for him to jump on a plane, don his overalls & boots and help the Christchurch team. He is quick to add that his staff followed suit and that he values their commitment. No need for the undercover boss here. Price is still passionate about the business and talks freely of plans to develop further their toll blending operation – Chemblend. Chemfreight offers the ability to blend/decant, store & distribute hazardous and non hazardous products on behalf of it’s clients. It backs this up with an impressive IT support system and outstanding customer service from all levels of the organization. For further information contact Harry Price on 09 274 5341 or the Christchurch Office 03 344 0135.

60 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Gone are the days of undercover

If you think washing the car is tiresome, try washing a big top marquee.

However, someone actually does have to keep marquees spotlessly clean, as there’s nothing like dirt to spoil the impression of your event - particularly if it’s the venue of your “impress the client” corporate function, gorgeous wedding or one of those “knock your socks off” special occasions. State-of-the-art marquee cleaning equipment recently imported from the UK by Rangiora’s Continental Event Hire has eliminated any such concern and further endorses the company’s status as a leading South Island marquee supplier. Eco friendly, faster and far more economical, the HN6000-Mrk3 PVC fabric washer, which arrives from Dorset in October, is set to make a big impact on work-place efficiency.

dirt

Most recently this included: a 20m x 40m marquee made out of ‘block out’ fabric (excellent for day-time AV presentations); an extension panel for the Big Top, meaning the largest temporary structure option is now an impressive 30m x 65m (capable of housing 1200 people standing/750 for seated dining) and several of the popular 4m x 4m fete stalls (perfect for backyard cover or stalls at food and craft shows).

“While obviously the Continental clientèle will be the main benefactor of our immaculate marquees, we’re also making the cleaning service available to other marquee owners and businesses. Now that the machine’s here, we certainly want to get the maximum use out of it.” New Zealand’s largest range of marquees and ancillary equipment for both indoor and outdoor event settings. Based in Rangiora, North Canterbury, Continental now regularly supplies marquees, hire equipment, catering and service staff to the larger or higher profile events in the South Island.

The electronically operated washing and drying machine is thought to be the only one in New Zealand, having been built to spec by Haven Crown, the UK’s leading marquee washing machine manufacturer. Continental Event Hire’s manager Andy Youngman points out that the company has always taken extreme pride in the immaculate presentation of its marquees, although the cleaning aspect is hard to get right. “You’re basically washing the PVC by scrubbing water around with a big brush and then hanging it up to dry. It’s physically hard, boring work for the team and you need a lot of undercover floor-space and time for the drying process.” Continental, which established its core business of event catering in 1965, undertook extensive research, including visits to both Australia and the UK to view working plant and washing options. The decision to invest in the $100Kplus Haven Crown machine was eventually won over by the efficiencies offered to Continental’s workplace. “To put it in perspective, for more than 20 years we’ve been washing and drying our marquees manually. A 20m x 5m marquee could take up to four man hours to wash hang and re-fold, not including the drying time,” Youngman says. “Now, with two men operating the hydraulics, the washer/dryer takes care of the whole process in 20 minutes, powering through a linear metre every minute. It’s fair to say we’re pretty excited to have it as part of the team!” A strong commitment to investment in quality plant sees the Event Hire inventory regularly updated with both equipment and marquees.

These include the NZPGA, Warbirds over Wanaka, Royal visits (most recently HRH Princess Anne and Prince Edward), Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, Kaikoura’s SeaFest and the New Zealand (golf) Open, as well as gala dinners, fundraisers, conferences, reunions, balls, trade shows, individual special occasions and many, many weddings.

Knowledge and resources make a powerful combination In a move that will deliver even better customer service, Continental Event Hire has recently entered into an alliance with Christchurch speciality hire suppliers A Grand Affair. Andy Youngman says the move aims to give customers a greater range of beautiful extras with which to dress their special events. “Continental has the marquees and an extensive general hire range. A Grand Affair has a beautiful range of very special products of the same high standard we ascribe to, adding an extra ‘bling’ factor. “The partnership works really well for our customers in terms of giving the client exposure to a greater number of styles, possibilities and service.” Continental’s Event Hire division was originally established to service the company’s core business of event catering but over the past 26 years the business has developed into being the supplier of one of

Apart from quality equipment and valuable partners, Youngman notes Continental’s knowledge is second to none in the industry. “Having that type of experience is a tremendous resource on its own. Combined with the quantity and quality of equipment we stock it means we always have a back-up plan and turn things around very quickly. The customer definitely benefits.” In an independent acknowledgement of the company’s level of skill and commitment, Continental Event Hire was named Party and Event Hire Company of the Year 2010 in the national Hire Industry Assn of New Zealand awards in September. Continental P O Box 59 | Rangiora 7440 T (03) 311 8220 T 0800 426 684 (within New Zealand) F (03) 313 4469 E enquiries@continental.co.nz www.continental.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 61

Wedding Wonderland | A Grand Affair

etting the perfect stage A

hush falls over the guests. There’s barely a breath as they wait in anticipation for that first glimpse of her glow. As she enters, all eyes are on her and for a moment, it’s as if the world A creative partnership stands still. It’s a feeling many experience Husband and wife duo Greg and Jo Bridgman and few forget — the entrance of the bride are the pioneers of this preparation — their on her wedding day. partnership is matrimonial and professional. He offers the managerial experience, she the And there, before their friends and family, creative eye for detail. Their niche business, the bride and her groom pledge their aptly titled, A Grand Affair, was the couple’s commitment to each other before they response to a growing need in the Christchurch go forth to celebrate and make memories event market for an enterprise that could that will last a lifetime in an atmosphere provide world class products for weddings and corporate events, with no stress involved. designed uniquely for them. “I had helped my friends with their daughters’ From a small, intimate affair, to a lavish weddings and from these experiences, identified and aesthetically indulgent banquet of a gap in the market,” Jo Bridgman explains. flowers, food and features, every wedding “I found it frustrating that I couldn’t hire is a grand affair. Inspired by the seasonal beautiful things when I only needed them trends captured in bridal books, or the for a weekend. I realised what a creative and scrapbook full of childhood wedding logistical headache it could be for people who aspirations, the look of a wedding is have no experience in planning an event. anything but accidental. “You could go to Melbourne, Sydney or It is the result of co-ordinated effort and the Auckland to find products pictured in the latest culmination of many days, weeks, months international bridal magazines but what was available locally for hire was limited,” she says. and sometimes even years of preparation.

“ The perfect wedding... in the perfect setting ”

www.terracedowns.co.nz // ph: 03 318 6943 // wedding@terracedowns.co.nz 62 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Wedding Wonderland | A Grand Affair

“Today’s brides are discerning and spent a lot of time researching ideas for their weddings, especially on the internet and in magazines. “We also work with brides who are organising their weddings from overseas in Sydney or London and they tend to have quite high expectations because of what they see available there. These brides also see the value in having someone on the ground here who can co-ordinate the design and decorations for them.”

From seat covers to table settings and more, A Grand Affair is well versed at setting the perfect scene for occasions from weddings to corporate events

Established in 2009 as a specialist in event and wedding decorations, A Grand Affair offers an extensive range of unique décor items for hire, ensuring clients are able to find all they require within one location.

Making a statement From chic Chiavari chairs with a European accent and centrepiece glass candelabras to simple glassware and silver with crystals, A Grand Affair’s products include magnificent table centrepieces, glassware, table linen, chairs and chair coverings, props and floral designs. To keep up with emerging design trends, Jo Bridgman is committed to sourcing new products as well as developing innovative designs and corporate concepts. A Grand Affair’s generous stock provides flexibility to cater for large events and customised décor can also be designed to meet a client’s specific needs. “We have sourced a lot of our products from overseas to have a point of difference,” Jo Bridgman says. “We have invested significantly in our ranges so that we have good numbers.” Better still, the couple insist on doing things in style every step of the way. Every product that passes in and out of A Grand Affair’s doors is checked and groomed on its return to ensure these items are always presented to clients in good condition. “We know that once our decorations are in the public eye, they represent the face of our business,” Jo Bridgman says.“We have also worked to develop special packaging for our products to ensure they can travel safely to and from functions.” A Grand Affair is a company that knows and appreciates that your wedding day is your day and should embody the character, spirit and energy that represents you. For those with a corporate agenda on their mind, the company can cater for these occasions too. Be it a product launch, gala dinner, or Christmas party, A Grand Affair is in the business of making a statement and can offer the expertise, talent and industry knowledge to deliver the ideal atmosphere. “From the initial concept brief to the final stages of product design, our emphasis is always on presentation when we are working to pull a look together. We help put colour and personality into a function so it is memorable and stylish.” Working closely with the Continental Marquee company, Jo Bridgman adds that the establishment of this professional relationship has simplified the process for clients even more as they can view the range of Continental marquees available at A Grand Affair’s showroom. “We have a strong association with Continental because we have the same high standards and our products complement each other,” she says.

“We liaise with Continental to minimise stress for clients and our service can include the floral arrangements so clients don’t have to deal with a whole lot of different suppliers. Ultimately, when you are the star at the party, you can’t be thinking of the logistics.” A Grand Affair’s showroom at 211 Durham Street is open Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm, or is available for viewing by appointment. Offering a direct hire service, A Grand Affair can work in collaboration with clients to custom design the look of a wedding or corporate affair. Committed to delivering an unrivalled service within a client’s budget, Jo Bridgman says of her work, “I absolutely love it when our client says, ‘It was even better than what I thought it was going to be”. A Grand Affair — “Because it’s all in the detail.” A Grand Affair 211 Durham Street Christchurch 4011 T (03) 377 7438 E greg@agrandaffair.co.nz www.agrandaffair.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Testimonial Our “grand affair” at Terrace Downs owes much to the quality of your “Grand Affair”. You gave us the touches to take our reception to the next level. At such occasions, you only get one chance at lasting impressions. In all respects, you excelled. Many thanks and kind regards, Ali Aitken and Phil McGoldrick A Grand Affair clients

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 63

Wedding Wonderland | Robyn Cliffe Couturiere

nspired designs The wedding dress has universal status. Constructed with the tools of imagination and craftsmanship, it conveys personality and represents commitment. Worn by women from all walks of life, the look of a bridal gown is as unique as the individual who wears it. Throughout time the white wedding dress has become a fashion fixture on the ceremonial scene, although it hasn’t always been that way. Prior to the Victorian era when white became a popular option after Queen Victoria donned the colour in her marriage to Prince Albert of SaxeCoburg in 1840, vibrant colours and fabrics were preferential within the aristocracy and were emblematic of social status. Throughout the world, different cultures embrace different aesthetic traditions when it comes to a wedding. In Vietnam, the ao dai is the formal wedding attire for brides and in China, matrimonial wear is made in red — the colour of success and good luck. In India, the post-wedding lehnga and choli are made in gold and in the Philippines, it’s the aro’t saya. Whatever the societal or personal preferences, designing a wedding dress is a process of experimentation and no one knows more about the importance of constructing a bridal gown with personality than Robyn Cliffe, founder of Robyn Cliffe Couturiere. Her creativity has had a presence at weddings, balls and formal functions throughout New Zealand. Specialising in silk tailoring, Cliffe has made thousands of leavers ball

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64 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

I travel every year and can say that there is nowhere else in the world that has better bridal wear than New Zealand. Robyn Cliffe Robyn Cliffe Couteriere

dresses, suits and general couture garments throughout her career. And like the aesthetic adventure Cliffe takes her brides on during the development of their dress, Cliffe’s professional evolution has been rich in detail. “I always loved design from a young age, but there were no design training schools in those days,” Cliffe says of her introduction to design. “I actually came down from Nelson to train as a nurse at Princess Margaret hospital and when the very first boutique opened in Christchurch, I put designs in it. I then went to England and trained at the Fashion Design School in London.” Wellington Polytechnic sought out Cliffe’s skills upon her return to New Zealand in the hope she would nurture and educate their aspiring talent but her ambition was to establish a business into which she could drive her creative energy. “As soon as I got back from England I opened my first shop — Studio 201 at 201 Fendalton road. The shop was originally a butchers shop and it was so tiny — the fitting room was literally in the chiller,” she laughs. It was a case of you can’t judge a book by its cover. The business boomed despite its spatial restrictions and Cliffe was commissioned to design and manufacture hand-screen printed Maori motif gowns for MP Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan. After a persistent professional associate drew her into manufacturing with Gypsy Fashions and Group 12 ranges, Cliffe also produced ski jackets, sold through the Para Rubber chain. This contract enabled her to withstand the economic difficulties of the Robert Muldoon era and pursue her passion of designing evening wear. There is no doubt her finesse for designing evening wear enabled Cliffe to achieve what she has achieved to date. Testament to her skills are the multiple achievement awards Cliffe has received throughout her career — the Benson and Hedges Eveningwear Award, Canterbury Designer of the Year Award, Woman Today Lifetime Design Award and several Design of Elegance Awards for evening wear.

Wedding Wonderland | Robyn Cliffe Couturiere

I love the consultation process, it is such a special feeling to see the bride in her dress and it is a very real reward for my staff to see the final product. Robyn Cliffe Robyn Cliffe Couteriere And while she has multi-dimensional design capabilities, it’s palpable that Cliffe’s fashion forte is in creating delicate garments. Her current couture haven resides upstairs in a commercial hotspot on historic Victoria Street in Christchurch. “I have gone more studio style and modelled my business on European bridal boutiques,” Cliffe says of her cosmopolitan location. Stocking gowns from the European Pronovias bridal range, Cliffe says her bespoke service is still the heart of the business. This caters for the bride, bridesmaids, mother of the bride or groom and also for formal occasions not of the matrimonial kind.

The design and construction of the bridal gown begins with a consultation appointment at Robyn Cliffe Couturiere where the bride to be brings in her ideas. “I love the consultation process, it is such a special feeling to see the

“The bride may end up selecting her dress from the rack or decide on five different elements that I put together for her. It is such a special time for the bride and her family and friends — we really go all out to ensure they enjoy it.” Crediting her staff’s skills and integrity for the preservation of her reputation, Cliffe says being a part of the bridal industry is all about promoting professionalism. As the co-ordinator of the Great New Zealand Bridal Show held in April each year, Cliffe says her 20-year involvement with this event has allowed her to see the best of the best. “The New Zealand Bridal Show presents the crème de la crème of the bridal and event industry. I travel every year and can say that there is nowhere else in the world that has better bridal wear than New Zealand.”

Robyn Cliffe Couturiere PO Box 25272 Christchurch T (03) 365 5200 F (03) 377 6910 Ercliffe@clear.net.nz www.robyncliffe.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Handmade flowers, headpieces and veils with beads, organza, and ribbon are available at Robyn Cliffe Couturiere as well as shoes by Charlotte Bedogni that Cliffe describes as “classical with a few retro twists. As well there is New Zealand and Australian jewellery courteousy of Clara Jewellery and Tina Jeffery.

“We have a huge range of dresses in house and they select the dresses they like and we discuss the elements that look good on them.

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To meet the growing demand for her designs, Cliffe has employed eight staff including consultants and machinists who dedicate their aesthetic and tactile ingenuity to the construction of bespoke gowns. “We’ve got a very versatile team. Some of my girls have been with me for 16, 18 and 20 years and all the staff come from a design background,” she says.

bride in her dress and it is a very real reward for my staff to see the final product. Some of the brides have scrapbooks they have been working on for years and years,” Cliffe says.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 65

Focus | The Curator’s House

Dining in the gardens By Bridget Gourlay

As soon as I open the door from the cold spring night and enter the Curator’s House, I am hit by the warmth of the fire, the friendly bustle of wait staff and the smell of delicious cooking. This iconic Christchurch restaurant is celebrating its 10th birthday. Jackie and Javier Garcia, the husband and wife team behind the restaurant, met here in 1994 when Javier, a Spanish lawyer, was learning English at the language school Jackie taught in. He was taking a break from hunting for the perfect place to start a restaurant. A few years later in 2000, (after learning each other’s languages) the couple’s dream of running a restaurant was still alive. They applied for the twenty year lease the Christchurch City Council was offering for the historic Curator’s House opposite the Arts Centre, which until then had been leased out as a private residence. They proposed to create a restaurant focusing on healthy Spanish style cooking, using fresh Canterbury produce, some of which would come straight from a demonstration fruit and vegetable garden in the restaurant’s backyard. To their surprise, the council loved their vision. For the past ten years, the Curator’s House has been delivering all they promised and more. While the cuisine is Spanish influenced, the architecture and setting is typically Christchurch. Built in 1920, its walls are volcanic basalt from the Port Hills, its wood solid varnished rimu and the view from both levels is of the Botanic Gardens. The restaurant was earthquake strengthened when the couple took up the lease in 2000, meaning unlike many other heritage homes, it was not damaged in the September earthquake.

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Largest range of French and other European wines in the South Island

66 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

It is a damp spring night when my mother and I dine at the Curator’s House in early September and we have a beautiful view of the blossom in the twilight. We can only imagine how lovely it would be to sit outside in summer, when the gardens are fully in bloom. Or in autumn when the golden leaves cover the ground. Or in winter, with the fire crackling. This is truly a place for all seasons. The menu contains many mouth-watering options. I go for the vegetarian ‘trio’ — an amazing mix of empanadas of spiced pumpkin, kumara and spinach with yoghurt riatta, chickpea and green herb patties topped with coriander pesto and a garden salad with feta, sundried tomato, olives and roasted pinenuts. I tried my best to not fill up on the home-made hummus and soft fresh bread we are served before our meal, because while I am waiting impatiently for my main meal, I also have an eye on the dessert menu. My mother picked the oven baked fresh fish fillet, topped with fresh garden herbs, white wine, lemon and garlic, served with a salad. The Curator’s House has just started serving milk-fed lamb, a Spanish delicacy. This dish, which Jackie believes is only available in New Zealand at the Curator’s House, is $39 per person and is served straight from the oven with roast potatoes and a Spanish salad. Other delicious-looking options included the Canterbury spring lamb, the prime sirloin of steak and — since this is a Spanish restaurant — paella. If you want to learn more about this delicious Spanish meal, you can book to watch Javier make it. Another Spanish touch is the homemade smoked paprika and pork shoulder chorizo. This sausage is sold as an entrée at the restaurant and is available at some supermarkets and specialty shops throughout New Zealand. The longed-for dessert menu appears. The maitre d’ recommends I order the house specialty, Crema Catalana, a Spanish crème brulee of lemon and cinnamon garnished with house made biscotti. One bite of this perfectly sweet and creamy dessert and I can see why it’s so promoted. My mother orders the warm date sponge pudding, served with hot treacle sauce and vanilla icecream. Other enticing options include a dessert tapas — an option two can share, which consists of two mini Crema Catalanas, gourmet ice-cream, seasonal fruit, petit four and house made biscotti. While the restaurant is professional, there is an inescapable home-like feel to the Curator’s House. Be it the personalised attention of the owners and maitre d’, or the adopted cat languishing by the fire, we leave happy, well-fed and vowing to come again.

Corporate functions The Curator’s House is the perfect place for corporate functions, offering private rooms of varying sizes. Downstairs, two dining rooms each seat 20 people maximum.

61 Mandeville St Riccarton Ph: (03) 343 1945 Fax: (03) 343 1935 Email: decant@decantwine.co.nz

Focus | The Curator’s House

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Upstairs, two rooms each seat 20-30 people and another seats 10. All of these can be made completely private. For something smaller, the private honeymoon balcony, (so-called because the romantic view of the gardens has prompted numerous proposals there), seats four to six people. And for a bigger company bash, look no further than the outside cocktail area, perfect for a summertime Christmas function. Jackie Garcia has already received bookings for the summer season, and she advises anyone interested in holding a function at the Curator’s House to contact her sooner rather than later on 379 2252 or send her an email.

Weddings The Curator’s House has played host to many enjoyable weddings over the last ten years. Couples feel drawn to the tranquil and peaceful environment in the heart of Christchurch. The delicious meals, al fresco dining and beautiful gardens make the spot even more romantic.

Fruit and vegetable garden The demonstration fruit and vegetable garden at the back of the Curator’s House was developed by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens. It provides anyone who wants to wander through with ideas for their own gardens — big or small — as well as providing homegrown stock for the meals at the restaurant. The Christchurch City Council and Friends of the Botanic Gardens also hold seasonal workshops in the garden, finishing with a seasonal dish from the Curator’s kitchen.

An environmental policy was developed after the team took part in a Target Zero project, a course with the Natural Step (founded by Blue Planet Prize winner Carl Hendrik). Being conscious of the role it needs to play in achieving its environmental aim, the restaurant selects suppliers carefully, recycles packaging and sends food waste for composting in its vegetable garden and worm farm and serves organic produce when possible. In the demonstration fruit and vegetable garden

a sustainable lifestyle is promoted where people can see ways to pursue the natural ecosystem of our environment. The Curator’s House 7 Rolleston Avenue Botanic Gardens Christchurch T (03) 379 2252 F (03) 3792258 E info@curatorshouse.co.nz www.curatorshouse.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Tourist groups get special tours of the garden, a real treat for some international guests who live in apartments in big cities and hardly ever see where their food comes from. The garden has played host to holiday programmes in the past, teaching children about growing and cooking vegetables. The Curator’s House is committed to running under principles of sustainability.

SMART, FAST AND PROUD TO SUPPORT CURATORS HOUSE 0800 657 300 www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 67

Deluxe dining and cuisine

Focus | Rotherhams of Riccarton

Rotherhams of Riccarton offers the complete fine-dining package — beautiful cuisine and wine combined with excellent service in a relaxed intimate atmosphere.

Cindy and Martin Weiss, the successful partnership leading the way at Rotherhams of Riccarton

new-season garlic soup with profiteroles filled with camembert and watercress mousse.

The award-winning restaurant was formed in 2000 by Martin and Cindy Weiss. Martin is a Swiss-trained fine-dining chef who has been cooking in a wide range of restaurants in Europe and New Zealand for 28 years, while Cindy works as the restaurant’s friendly and professional maitre d.

Martin Weiss says the restaurant is renowned for its dessert menu, which includes the Rotherhams surprise coupe. Chocolate is a feature of the menu, with dishes including white and dark chocolate truffles and a chocolate trio — chocolate and star anise mousse cake, dark chocolate and orange marquise in a dark chocolate cone, and chocolate and Kahlua fondue with fruits. There is also sticky date and ginger pudding, apricot and vanilla bean cheesecake and frozen raspberry and white chocolate parfait to tempt the tastebuds.

Located in Rotherham Street opposite Riccarton Mall, the restaurant offers classic European and New Zealand cuisine. Every dish is cooked to perfection and exquisitely presented.

Rotherhams of Riccarton has a huge wine list to choose from, with more than 500 listings from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. They also have wine by the glass options.

The restaurant’s a la carte menu covers a variety of dishes, including grilled cervena medallions, pancetta-wrapped pork fillet, chargrilled lemonscented chicken breast, gratinated tomato coulis and aged-cheddar potato gnocchi. However, Rotherhams of Riccarton is best known for its many signature dishes, which include Martin’s seafood selection and oysters prepared in 12 different ways. Beef fillet is another specialty and is presented wrapped in bacon, topped with Kikorangi blue cheese and kumara shavings, golden couscous, green French beans and a pink and green peppercorn glaze.

PROTECT WHAT YOU VALUE

Many discerning customers choose the lamb duo, which involves lamb cutlets coated with a mustard and herb crust, green pea flan, roasted cocktail onions and mint pesto, together with a braised lamb shank, crushed pumpkin and kumara, crispy parsnip chips and lamb sauce. We are proud of our long standing relationship with Rotherhams of Riccarton as a supplier of fine wines. GRAND TERROIR CAREFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP LOW YIELD A WINE PRODUCER OF DISTINCTION MARLBOROUGH - NEW ZEALAND

Rotherhams of Riccarton always has a vegetarian entrée on its menu, as well as a vegetable soup and vegetarian main. A favourite has recently returned to the menu — creamy

Elite Meats

Bush Inn Centre, Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. Contact: Marguerite +64 21 415 692 +64 3 575 7721

03 348 5043

info@closmarguerite.co.nz www.closmarguerite.co.nz

Cooking is my love — I have a huge passion for food and wine Martin Weiss chef and co-owner, Rotherhams of Riccarton

Award-winning restaurant Rotherhams of Riccarton has won numerous awards during the past 10 years, receiving the Outstanding Canterbury Restaurant Award and the Outstanding Canterbury Customer Service Award at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards last year, in which Martin Weiss was also named the Outstanding Canterbury Chef. “We probably have more awards than anybody else in Christchurch, but it’s not about the awards,” Weiss says. “We’ve got really good food — people come in and they’re blown away. Our customers say we stand out with our service, quality and food. We’re owner-operators, with my wife out the front and me in the kitchen. We like to talk to our customers about the food and the wine. It’s a lot different than when you go into a restaurant with a manager.”

empowering you to achieve

FISHERIES

What do Rotherhams of Riccarton and Soar have in common?

Desire and Commitment

Proud supplier of quality fresh seafood to Rotherhams of Riccarton

82 Riccarton Road, Christchurch Phone: 03 348 5632, Fax: 03 343 2123 Email: theosfisheries@xtra.co.nz www.theosfisheries.co.nz

Rewards You Deserve Congratulations on 10 Years of Fine Dining

Congratulations to Martin and Cindy on 10 years of excellence

We are proud to support Cindy and Martin Weiss with ongoing Accountancy Advice and Business Coaching

Sandihurst Winery - Proud suppliers to Rotherhams of Riccarton

Ph 03 347 8269 www.sandihurstwines.co.nz

68 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Black Estate is proud to be served at Rotherhams. To order our limited handwrapped Pinot Noir 2007 contact us at wine@blackestate.co.nz or 03 310 6930 | www.blackestate.co.nz

Focus | Rotherhams of Riccarton

Degustation dining delights Rotherhams of Riccarton’s two degustation menus allows diners to enjoy the ultimate in fine-dining cuisine complemented by perfect wines. The Christchurch restaurant offers a five-course and eight-course degustation menu, which owner/chef Martin Weiss says are actually seven and 10-course menus. The degustation menus are designed for the discerning food lover, who wants to experience the ultimate in cuisine and wine. The set menus offer a wide range of exquisite dishes, including oysters, ostrich, Akaroa salmon, grilled cervena medallions, Swiss raclette cheese and raspberry and white chocolate parfait. Weiss says a growing number of customers are choosing the degustation menus. “We offer it with carefully selected red and white wine matches for each dish. They are also available without the wine match. We’ve been offering the degustation menus for four years and they’ve been going well. It’s about giving guests options.”

Early-bird special Rotherhams of Riccarton is currently offering an early-bird special, dining between 5.30pm and 7.30pm from Tuesday to Friday. This involves a $45 menu — a bread selection with a choice from three entrees and three main dishes. The special means customers save up to $20 on normal menu prices.

Degustation dining displays

the same distinctive styling that makes Rotherhams a visual feast as well as a destination dining experience with delectable appeal The restaurant features two separate dining rooms, meaning diners can be separated into two more intimate groups on busy nights. Martin and Cindy Weiss and their staff work hard to provide the best possible service, food and dining experience to their customers. “We pride ourselves on service, quality and consistency,” Weiss says.

“The early-bird dining should appeal to anybody wanting to eat earlier than usual, such as people going to the movies at Riccarton Mall,” Weiss says. “We’re a destination restaurant but the early-bird dining is attracting more people off the street. It’s running until the end of November.”

“We know many of our guests by name, repeat business has always been our aim and we’re always welcome to new business. The restaurant is very fresh and vibrant. We have a small courtyard out the back for summer dining and it’s very pleasant sitting out there having a drink or early dinner.”

Rotherhams of Riccarton offers diners elegant surroundings with a warm and cosy ambience. While the majority of customers book ahead, diners are welcome to take a more casual approach and just come in off the street to eat.

Rotherhams of Riccarton 42 Rotherham Street Riccarton, Christchurch T (03) 341 5142 www.rotherhamsofriccarton.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

PO Box 8529 Riccarton

G.H. Morris & Sons Ltd.

Christchurch 8440, NZ Phone: 03 348 1558 Fax: 03 348 1533

Proud to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to Rotherhams of Riccarton

Email: seafood@oceansnorth.co.nz We are a major seafood supplier to the hospitality trade.

Supporting Rotherham’s of Riccarton Congratulations to Martin & Cindy Weiss on their 10 years in business.

Call Fax Cell Email

344 2470 344 2472 021 899 474 vegetables@paradise.net.nz

Negociants New Zealand congratulate Rotherhams of Riccarton for 10 fantastic years in business. Lets raise our glasses to the next 10 years! www.negociantsnz.com

ph 0800 634 624

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 69

Focus | The Marque Christchurch

The Marque hits the mark Occupying the tallest building in the heart of the city, The Marque Christchurch provides modern and stylish accommodation for the savvy business traveller and leisure guest, at an affordable price. Offering clean, contemporary design, The Marque is a place where you can work at your peak using the latest hassle-free in room technology, or you can relax in comfort and quiet. While you can make the most of the free wi-fi in all public areas and the three hours of free high speed broadband in your guest room, there will be times when your phone and laptop can’t do everything. A super-efficient business centre called ‘Biz’ has three fully equipped work stations and a printer for guests to utilise any time of the day or night.

Meet and greet The Marque Christchurch’s versatile meeting and event facilities are ideal for business and social use. Dedicated meetings and events staff provide friendly, unobtrusive service to ensure every occasion runs smoothly, efficiently and without fuss. There are two principal meeting rooms catering for up to 50 people for an event, plus two small office rooms for up to four people, right next to Biz. Full room service or specially-designed menu options are available in every meeting room or in the lobby/bar area.

Value Promise

Do business

The two meeting rooms are modern and comfortable, with effective sound proofing, a 42” plasma screen, data projector, free wireless broadband, DVD facilities and a sound system.

Keep fit and unwind Eyes blurry from looking at a computer screen? Mind exhausted but your body feeling idle? A gym and sauna will help you keep fit and relax your weary brain while travelling. When your work is complete, reward yourself with a satisfying meal in the stylish in-house restaurant, Fresh. Choose from delicious meals showcasing local and seasonal produce from the Canterbury region, created by talented executive chef Adrian Lowrey. The menu is complemented by quality New Zealand and imported wines.

The Value Promise at Rendezvous and The Marque hotels reflects their understanding of guests’ needs. It includes:  Free local telephone calls  Low cost long distance calls  Low cost mini-bar drinks and food  Low cost laundry pricing  Free internet. All guests are entitled to three hours of internet connectivity per calendar day. Additional time can be purchased at reasonable rates  No surcharge for use of credit cards and no weekend or public holiday surcharges when you drink or dine.

Business benefits  Full breakfast for one  Newspaper of choice  Choice of either a laundered or pressed shirt OR a complimentary drink at the hotel bar  Free and unlimited internet

The Marque Christchurch’s cuisine reflects many business travellers’ requests for healthy food while on the road. From breakfast to dinner, healthy and delicious options prepared from scratch are available. “It’s not just about bacon and eggs,” general manager Brad Watts says.

The Marque is in the heart of Christchurch, a block from Cathedral Square. Business travellers can unwind in the evening by strolling around Christchurch’s CBD where a plethora of restaurants, cafés, shops and arts venues entice you inside. Alternatively, you could hop on the tram (which stops next to the hotel) and enjoy a historic way of seeing Christchurch’s vibrant heart and beautiful gardens. All visitors at the The Marque Hotel receive the Value Promise. The Marque Christchurch general manager Brad Watts says Value Promise is exactly what their guests need.

“Not only is The Marque Christchurch brand new and stylishly contemporary, the hotel’s point of difference is its tailor-made Value Promise, perfect for business travellers.” To further enhance your stay at The Marque Christchurch, enquire about the Business Benefits package, only $23.50 per person daily. The Business Benefits package at The Marque Christchurch sets a new benchmark in value for money service, specifically tailored for the needs of today’s business travellers. The Marque Christchurch 166 Gloucester St Christchurch 8011 T (03) 943 3888 F (03) 943 3880 E reservation.christchurch@marquehotel.com E sales2.christchurch@marquehotels.com www.marquehotels.com.au — Advertising Feature

ambience tiling canterbury ltd 6 Iversen Terrace, Christchurch Phone: 03 365 9725 Fax: 03 365 9729 Email: enquiries@ambiencegroup.co.nz

Proud to be the preferred tilers of The Marque Hotel, Christchurch in conjunction with Armitage Williams Construction www.ambiencetiling.co.nz Natural Stone Showroom 6 Iversen Terrace www.ambiencegroup.co.nz

70 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Need a student for the summer? We have thousands of students ready to give you a hand with all those hard to fill roles that nobody else wants to do… and our service is FREE! Help a Student – Help Yourself Now there’s a new way of hiring students for those hard to fill jobs. Our revolutionary new site is far more effective and efficient than anything you’ve tried before. You have complete control over who you employ, and you deal directly with the students, so you find out first hand what they’re like. And of course this means you can have your student working for you almost immediately, unlike other places that typically take… too long. Our new technology will match your job with the best available students and send you the applicants to choose from. And best of all, this service is entirely free to both you and the student. No catch, no gimmick. So if you have someone away sick, or you’re just sick of paying recruitment companies, we have enthusiastic students rearing to go. Hourly rates start from $12.75, but you can decide what you want to pay and let the market decide how many applicants you get — there’s no governance from us.

We’ve removed the hassle of contracts as you can simply download them from our site free of charge. Students will also do just about anything, from handing out flyers to standing in a chicken suit, as well as all the odd job around your house too. And of course if you employ them around your home there’s no need for contracts. Most students are willing to work extremely hard to pay their way through studying, so the majority are hard working and willing to go the extra mile to ensure they get a good reference from you, as this is often their point of difference when going for a graduate job. And you also know you’re employing intelligent and honest people, as any dishonesty will have them removed from our database immediately. In addition to this you could be getting a student FREE for a month. At the end of each month we’ll be drawing out one company and reimbursing them for their students wages.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 71

Corporate Destinations | Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Take a walk back through time. Admire the strong wings and the carefully crafted bodies of the vintage birds that were once piloted by freedom fighters. Having been constructed to pursue liberation and independence, these iconic ‘Knights of the Sky’ now tell their stories from the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough, which is open for you to explore.

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre features a variety of iconic fighter aircraft. The dramatically staged Taube (below) is the earliest designed aircraft on display

A juxtaposition of young and old, the centre is a contemporary storyteller, recounting events whose signficance has echoed throughout the ages. December 9, 2009, marked three years since this business took flight with exhibitions brought to life by the creative support of Weta Workshop and cinematic entrepreneur Peter Jackson’s self-established Wingnut Productions.

A classic fighter

Fact file  Omaka Airport lies adjacent to the iconic Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre  Provision has been made for fully serviced sites, providing three-phase power, telephone, water and sewerage to each boundary  A 30 metre wide taxiway provides access onto Omaka Aerodrome  Sites are reserved for aviation related activities.

On-site function specialists

The Omaka Aviation Centre was built through the commitment of donated time and resources. To ensure the centre can continue to educate curious visitors about stories which have shaped our world, the Classic Fighters Omaka Air Show is held for three days on alternate years, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The event is a major fundraising opportunity for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. With the main show days running on Saturday and Sunday and the programme running from approximately 10am until 4pm, Friday has traditionally been a practise and trade day. But for 2009, the centre experimented with a new fundraising formula, implementing the inaugural Twilight Extreme, which garnered much enthusiasm from an audience, securing its presence in future Classic Fighter festivities. Designed to be more than just an airshow, the centre’s philosophy for Classic Fighters is to provide visitors with a weekend of entertainment that encompasses Marlborough flavour. The aviation theme at this show is complemented by ground theatre, vehicles, pyrotechnics and set pieces. Trade stalls, Marlborough wine and food are also on offer. Previous Classic Fighter events have included an ‘Aviation and the Movies’ theme, which saw reproductions of famous cultural icons. A pyramid and sphinx, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, a section of the Forum, gondolas and the monastery at Monte Cassino were all represented at this show.

FRESH VIBRANT FOOD STRONG CUSTOMER FOCUS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE For all functions and events call Steve and Leanne P/F 03 579 3995 |M 0274 335 253 E. poshnoshmarlborough@xtra.co.nz W. www.poshnoshmarlborough.co.nz Hamming it up for a themed cocktail party, the MC greets CINZ Conference delegates outside the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

72 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

sky For 2011, Classic Fighters will be held at the Omaka Aerodrome from April 22-24. The theme, ‘V for Victory’ has been inspired by iconic historic fighter aircraft going head to head during the Great War of 1914-1918 and the Second World War of 1939-1945. More than seventy aircraft will fly each day of the event and the public area will be dressed in props which reflect an English country village theme. A Fun Zone for children and a Classic Car Festival for aircraft enthusiasts will keep the young and young at heart entertained. “People come from around the world to fly at this show. We are expecting 30-40,000 people in 2011, which provides great opportunities for other businesses in the region,” Omaka Aviation Centre chief executive Jane Orphan says.

Functions While the Omaka Aviation Centre is still relatively new, it contains age-old stories that have stood the test of time. And despite its short existence, Omaka Aviation Centre has already hosted many significant functions, introducing the public to the past in the process. In July 2009, a full-size replica Stuka built by volunteer Lester Hope and his team of dedicated volunteers for Classic Fighters, was moved to its new location outside the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Joining its contemporary adversary, the replica Hawker Hurricane, the Stuka was in position in time for the Aviation Industry Association Conference held in Blenheim throughout the last week of July. A marquee at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was the venue for two evening dinners and hosted more than 300 visitors for the event. A barbecue breakfast and flying day for members of Marlborough warbirds and friends of the centre also took place in 2009. Flying members introduced the public to their own aircraft and many were given the opportunity to experience joyflights. The planes on show included two Tiger Moths, a Taylorcraft, Fleet 16, Porterfield, Aeronca,

Corporate Destinations | Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Above: Air show action at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Below: The diorama in the Knights of the Sky exhibition depicts a soldier hailing an ambulance for a wounded pilot being pulled from his Morane Saulnier

Andrews Special, Pietenpol Aircamper, Baby Cub and a Nanchang. With a generous foyer to play host for cocktail functions or professional conferences, the centre offers a unique entertainment experience while promoting networking and interaction among guests. A marquee area outside can accommodate full seated dinners, providing the opportunity to hold more formal occasions. Omaka Aviation Centre also has the advantage of being located next to the Omaka Airpark and for the future of the business, commercial joy flights are on the horizon. “We would love to expand in the future and Omaka is the perfect place to accommodate growth,” Orphan adds. “Originally we built two display hangers with room for three more and eventually we want to have five, but it is all a matter of funding, securing more sponsors and getting more people behind us.” Having already won the Supreme Award in honour of the centre’s dedicated volunteers at the Trust Power Marlborough Community Awards in November 2009, there is no doubt the centre will continue to grow and develop and be recognised for its significant contribution to the Marlborough community. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre PO Box 641 Blenheim 7240 T (03) 579 1305 F (03) 579 1306 E jane@omaka.org.nz www.omaka.org.nz — Advertising Feature

It’s what we do on the ground that helps you in the air. At Air BP, we know you love to fly. That’s why we go that bit further to get you off the ground - from your local Account Manager to the trained refueller who fills your plane at one of our locations across the country. At Air BP, it’s what we do on the ground that helps you in the air. Air BP, Principal Sponsor, Warbirds over Wanaka.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 73

Retail | Piko Wholefoods

Wholefoods market Home of freshly cracked New Zealand walnuts, processed into a range of gourmet products including walnut pieces, halves, flour, oil, dukkah, chutney & pickled walnuts. Please contact ahead for orders. Tours by arrangement.

Supporter of and supplier to ‘Piko Wholefoods’ Phone/Fax: 03 347 8103 Email: crackernut@clear.net.nz Web: www.crackernut.co.nz

It is one of the lucky heritage buildings left standing in Christchurch after the 7.1 earthquake tore through the region on September 4. At more than a century old, the Piko Wholefoods building on the corner of Kilmore and Barbadoes Streets remains to serve the growing organic and wholefood market in the region. The grade three building’s survival is credited to earthquake strengthening, brick repointing and general refurbishment work initiated five years ago by the co-operative’s trustees. “We invested in adding huge concrete pillars to secure the building, piles in the ground, metal rods to anchor the internal walls and hold it all together, and the replacement of rotten windows and roof beams,” Piko trustee Tineke Witteman says. “The flooring was all tongue and groove which was like match sticks. While it unfortunately couldn’t be salvaged, it has been replaced with plywood which provides bracing for the building.”

The Piko Wholefoods building, built in 1905 with its distinctive red brick facade, looks good for another hundred years. Piko settled into the premises in 1981 after a couple of years next door. Originally the premises of a painter and paperhanger, the building’s architectural charm in the form of filigree ironwork and stained glass windows fitted perfectly with Piko, which has a charm of its own. Piko is a low profit retail business, Witteman explains. “It was started in 1979 by a group of hippies who wanted to change the world with their ideals,” she laughs. “They developed a wholefood retail shop with prices people could afford, based on a low profit model.” A key reason for starting Piko was to provide an outlet for organically grown produce — vegetables, grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. Hans, the co-operative’s full-time worker at the time, grew most of the vegetables on empty sections in the Avon Loop. “We sell everything a supermarket does but we’re a vegetarian store — so minus the meat. Today we continue to sell fruit and vegetables, grown organically and sourced locally as much as possible.

“We sell beans, lentils, muesli, herbs and spices, and as we have an emphasis on low packaging, many of our products can be purchased from a sack or on tap — you bring in your own containers and fill up with rice, shampoo, oil or vinegar. We’re saving people a bit of money, but we’re also saving the planet.” Three years ago another Piko store was established at 12 London Street, Lyttelton. LyttelPiko, as it is affectionately known, is a popular and busy shop, Witteman says. The Piko Wholefoods co-operative started life at the beginning of the organics movement which has since swept the world. “The market is constantly widening for organics and wholefoods. As people recognise the lower impact organics have on the planet and the health benefits, the demand is increasing. “Wholefoods and organics are much more widely available now, so we have moved into gluten free food and dairy free; foods which meet individual dietary needs,” Witteman says. “There are many more allergies around. If your body can’t tolerate something, you have to get a replacement and this can be hard for people when they find out that they have an allergy.”

Looking for an energy boost for you & your immune system? Lifestream Certified Organic Spirulina is Mother Nature’s original super multi-vitamin. It is rich in certified organic vitamins, minerals, trace elements, essential fatty acids, amino acids and phytonutrients! It delivers a much higher antioxidant level than any other spirulina and is a powerful immune system support food. Lifestream Certified Organic Spirulina is perfect for people recuperating, run down or under the weather or those with a below par immune system.

Celebrating PIKO’s 31 years in Business 1.5kg Purefresh Potatoes this week only

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$3.45

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Taps # NA 1437

Cnr Barbadoes and Kilmore St, Chch Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday Ph 366 8116, fax 366 8114 74 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

We would like to congratulate Pikos Wholefoods on a successful 31 years in business & wish them all the best for the future.

shop@pikowholefoods.co.nz www.pikowholefoods.co.nz Find us on Facebook too!

Retail | Piko Wholefoods

a growing concern Piko Wholefoods is able to give advice on dietary needs. As well, there is a vast range of information available on the website www.pikowholefoods.co.nz For people in remote areas who struggle even more with dietary requirements and the availability of organic foods, orders can be made online and sent out South Island wide. “It’s a great service. People love it,” Witteman says.

Heart of organics Organics is where the co-operative’s heart is. “There’s so much land in Canterbury which has DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane) residue in it — that’s never going to go away. They didn’t know about these things in the fifties. Those actions have far reaching consequences.” DDT is a suspected carcinogenic and a threat to wildlife, particularly birds, which has since been banned for agricultural use worldwide under the Stockholm Convention. But it’s just one of the pesticides that have been used in agriculture over the years. The growing reliance on synthetic fertilisers spawned the organic movement in the 1930s. Artificial fertilisers started coming into prominence in the 18th century, initially with superphosphates and then ammonia-derived fertilisers. They were cheap, powerful and easy to transport in bulk. But some were also discovered to have harmful side effects. Organic food is grown without the routine use of agricultural chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides or growth regulators. It is also food which has been processed from organic produce without synthetic additives like stabilisers, flavour enhancers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, preservatives or colourants.

While Piko was established to provide an outlet for the growing organic produce market, it has gone far beyond that purpose. Piko is committed to bulk purchases and simple packaging to keep prices down. The shop provides window space for community notices. Operating collectively offers flexible working hours, part-time work and an interesting alternative to the boss-worker relationship. Knowledge of tasks is shared so all members understand the different functions and are given the opportunity to learn new skills. “All members get to do a variety of different roles. It gives you more responsibility and diversifies your skills. It’s like it’s your own shop.”

Social change The co-operative has always been a staunch campaigner for social change. When Piko functioned as a dairy next door to the current premises, it was no ordinary dairy. While cigarettes were sold, one cent on every packet went to the Heart Foundation. On South African Rothman cigarettes, an extra cent went to HART (Halt all Racist Tours). It was the early 80s and Piko was taking a stand on apartheid. Piko also took an active concern in other issues such as town planning. Motorway widening was a cause for concern in the 80s when the threat of demolition was hanging over the building due to the St Albans motorway plan. These are still the ideals behind the functioning of Piko. “While we have kept with the times by expanding and updating to keep up with the marketplace, we have retained the values which we have stood by since the beginning. “A certain percentage of our profit goes straight back to our parent trust which is a registered charity. We give money to schools and other local community organisations for

projects that support environmental, sustainable or organic principles. Our customers like that part of the money they spend on groceries here goes to support things like edible gardens in schools, the Southern Seed Exchange and community gardens.” Piko has gone from strength to strength during the subsequent years. Throughout its history, its key strength has been the people associated with it — the trustees with their founding vision and ongoing leadership, the co-workers in their commitment and the customers with their enduring loyalty. “I think the reason we have done so well also comes down to selling good stuff. We stand by our products and the demand for those products is high,” Witteman says. “Being a co-operative has made us a very strong group with good people. It’s very much like a second family.” That strong group of good people is supported by an equally strong group of customers. “We have an incredibly diverse range of clients; they’re all here because they believe in whole and organic food — that’s what’s really important.” And the underlying message behind Piko Wholefoods has remained the same. “We really care; we have really high standards when it comes to looking after the environment, we recycle and reduce waste, we care about our people — customers and staff.”

Piko Wholefoods 229 Kilmore Street Christchurch T (03) 366 8116 E shop@pikowholefoods.co.nz www.pikowholefoods.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 75

Goods and Services | Award Plastics and Displays

Made to Award Plastics and Displays in Christchurch can make virtually any plastic product or component for any finished display or signage requirement. The Sydenham-based company is a manufacturer and distributor of plastics, displays and related products. Formed in 1994, owner Ross Hall took on his first employee following the purchase of a vacuum forming machine, which opened up a new market. The company moved to larger premises in Coleridge Street in 1997 with a staff of six. A computer router was bought, which gave the company something none of its competitors had. Another move was made in 2001 to a purposebuilt premises in Buchan Street and in February 2005 the company moved to an even larger site at 42 Wordsworth Street, which offered significantly more manufacturing and showroom space to display its increasing range of products. Today, Award Plastics manufactures a wide range of products, including full plastic sheets in various thicknesses and colours, panels cut to size or shape, a stock line of brochure holders and poster displays, as well as custom products made to order. The company has grown to employ 14 staff and is now a one-stop shop for any type of display that requires specific needs and tight delivery times, regardless of the size of the project.

Huge product range

Top: Illuminated letters by Award Plastics and Displays in Christchurch. The company has the ability to manufacture virtually any plastic product, component or signage

Ross Hall says Award Plastics and Displays has the ability to manufacture virtually any plastic product, component or signage. “We have our own lines of products and we do a lot of custom work as well,” he says. “We make a lot of components for other manufacturers — that’s our core work. We make plastic parts for all sorts of products.”

Award Plastics’ range of standard products includes brochure holders, floor stands, wall displays with a range of modular systems, table numbers, no smoking signs, food trays and lids, menu boards and dispensers for straws, peanuts and icecream cones. Shop fittings include turntables, sunglass stands and real estate window displays. The company also manufactures footpath signs, illuminated and non-illuminated poster displays and caravan/motor home parts. “Our standard range is quite a large range of products and it’s ever increasing. From business card holders to great big floor standards, LED illuminated signs and illuminated whiteboards that you write on with a whiteboard marker. You can have different colours and flashings,” Hall says. Award Plastics has a wide variety of plastic available for many different uses and can cut to size and into shops, bend and mould as required.

Custom design work Award Plastics and Displays can vacuum-form large and small parts, blow-form dome shapes together and cut letters of any shape with computer router & laser machines. “We can custom mould anything from small food trays to large decorative panels — we have quite a few large moulding machines for that.” The company’s in-house design department can bring any ideas to life using not just plastics, but also incorporating metals and wood. To complete this, the company can supply flashing LED 3D letters or shapes and end light LED engraved signs. Award Plastics prides itself on being able to design and build to a specific application or customer requirement. “We can take the product from concept to designing it, prototyping it and manufacturing tooling.”

Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors Proud suppliers to Award Plastics and Displays Specialists in supplying plastic sheet for most applications. Acrylic, Polycarbonate, foam PVC, ABS, ASA, PETG, ACM, Multiflute, PP and PVC films Contact Chch Ph 03 387 0072, Auck Ph 09 274 1800 • Freephone: 0508 977 695 Fax Chch 03 387 0251, Auck 09 271 2833 • Email: sales@ypp.co.nz • Website: www.ypp.com.au

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I N D U S T R I A L P A I N T E R S A N D P O W D E R C O AT E R S Specialists in POWDERCOATING and BAKED ENAMEL techniques where powder or specialized paint are applied to a wide range of products & heated in an oven giving a highly protective durable smooth finish. We have also been proud to assist Award Plastics with PLASTIC PAINTING of their specialized plastic mouldings. *FOR A BUCHAN GOOD JOB - SEE INDUSTRIAL PAINTERS & POWDERCOATERS* 70 Buchan St, Sydenham, Christchurch | P. 03 366 3821 | F. 03 366 3805 | ind.paint@xtra.co.nz | www.powercoat-n-paint.co.nz

76 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

measure

Goods and Services | Award Plastics and Displays

While most of Award Plastics’ customers are in Christchurch, the company undertakes work for businesses throughout New Zealand and exports some product to Australia.

Laser cutting capabilities Award Plastics and Displays in Christchurch has expanded its areas of expertise through the purchase of new laser cutter and trimming machines.

Any colour is possible at Award Plastics and Display (left). The company is now a one-stop shop for any type of display that requires specific needs and delivery times, regardless of the size of the project. Below: The Award Plastics and Displays team

Award Plastics recently purchased laser cutting machines, which Hall says have opened up a significant new area of business. Each of the three laser cutters has its individual specialty. The smaller machine is for cutting small objects and has the ability to engrave even on circular items. The two larger machines are used for cutting up to 25mm thick acrylic and can engrave to photo quality in many materials, including stone. Award Plastics can easily laser engrave a photo or drawing from a file or scan an image — the possibilities are endless. “We’ve been concentrating on laser cutting lately and can design and create custom signage that is illuminated with LED,” Hall says. “This is new for us and has opened up a new area of business. We supply signage companies with LED lighting; we cut and engrave panels for them and make illuminated letters.”

Fitzwilliam Electrical is proud to be associated with Award Plastics and Displays

New high-tech machinery Award Plastics and Displays is also in the process of buying a new $100,000 trimming machine from Europe. “It’s a one-stop shop and can trim a moulded product and drill holes in it and do everything inside the machine,” Hall says. “It’s fully computerised, whereas we previously did it all by hand. It will mean quicker turnaround on work and greater accuracy. We’ll be able to do more complicated products. Award Plastics has also installed a larger thermoforming machine, which has increased productivity, capacity, and capability. The company can now form mouldings up to 2.5m long x 1.5m wide. “This machine is a real step up for us with the latest technology operating system, halogen flash heating system, automatic sheet loader and unloading also with twin sheet forming capability.

“This brings the number of thermoforming machines up to three.”

Company success Hall says the high level of technology and skilled staff make the company stand above its competitors. “We have up-to-date machinery that is very efficient. We’ve got very experienced staff, with probably over 100 years’ experience between all of us. We’ve been in the trade a long time and can turn out small jobs to large, complicated jobs,” he says. “I started the company just with me and it has grown a lot. I always pride myself on putting out quality products and we always deliver on time.

We meet customers’ requirements — whatever they want, big or small.” Award Plastics and Displays 42 Wordsworth Street Sydenham Christchurch 8024 T (03) 374 5500 F (03) 374 5502 www.awardplastics.co.nz — Advertising Feature

ELECTRICAL . AUTOMATION MECHANICAL .DESIGN 65 Nursery Road, Phillipstown, Christchurch Phone: 03 389 2163 Fax: 03 389 2162 Email: fitzlec@xtra.co.nz Web: www.fitzwilliamelectrical.co.nz

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Proud to be associated with Award Plastics and Displays freephone 0800 505 600 email sales@computaleta.co.nz www.computaleta.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 77

Goods and Services | Manning Signs

Making all the right signs From signwriting jet boats to creating billboards, there’s always a challenge for the team at Manning Signs. The company has been going since 1978, when it was bought and re-named by Chris Manning. The business has changed over the years, he says. “We’ve gone from hand-crafted signage to digital and mechanised neon signs — computers have changed what we do dramatically.” Manning Signs’ client list reads like a list of successful New Zealand businesses. It has a long working relationship with Cookie Time and has just finished branding its first franchise outlet in Queenstown. It supplies signage for all Cookie Time’s franchisee vehicles, and painted the distinctive factory in Templeton. Manning Signs is currently helping to rebrand Thrillseekers Adventures, a Canterbury tourism company. Manning Signs has been repainting Thrillseekers Adventures’ jet boats, vehicles, ticket office, café and bungy jump area. The company also works for Tront (Ngai Tahu’s business wing), Zealandia Nurseries, Allied Petroleum, Allied Concrete and recently completed signage for Telstra Clear’s new Colombo Street shop. One of its speciality niches is signwriting curtainsider trucks. The Metroglasstech fleet was branded by Manning Signs.

Service and staff Great customer service has always been a core principle for Manning Signs and Chris Manning believes that’s how it survived the recession. “We are always looking at improving and doing better for our clients. We try to provide great service at a realistic price. We’ve based our business on this — great service and high quality product.”

Manning also gives much credit to his staff. “We’ve got a great team of guys. They are our greatest asset. Their growing knowledge base and experience means we have new ideas and ways of doing things that keeps us in front of the field.”

New products Manning Signs has just introduced a new product, a form of LED neon. “This is a flexible neon product that looks like neon but is so sturdy you can smash it with a hammer and it’ll survive. It’s very robust, waterproof and very cheap to run,” Manning says. Its uses will include traditional neon signage, plus concealed lighting in kitchens, bathrooms and bars. He believes it will largely replace most traditional neon.

Manning Signs

In the next couple of months another exciting product is about to be launched but Chris Manning is reluctant to unveil it just yet — “watch this space,” he says.

products services:  Design and installation

While Manning Signs has new products, Chris Manning says that’s not the only way to keep abreast of change. “Technology is changing fast, and the need to keep up with market is vital. But it’s not just new machinery, it’s also knowledge we must keep up with. At Manning Signs we don’t necessarily buy the very expensive machine, but are learning to be very clever with what we do.

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“We keep up with new skills. New Zealand is a small country, and we don’t have the huge base of customers Europe or North America have available, so we have to be much smarter with how we do things.”

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78 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Goods and Services | GWF Tip Top Bakeries

Turning out a tip-top product It wouldn’t be a Kiwi breakfast without a couple of pieces of Vegemite-smeared toast. Or a proper lunch without a cheese and ham sandwich. And no truly yummy afternoon tea would be complete without pikelets, jam and cream. A constant behind our staple diet is George Weston Foods (GWF). For more than 50 years, George Weston Foods has been a part of the New Zealand and Australian marketplace. The story began in the early 1950s when George Weston Foods purchased Stormont’s Bakery in Kingsland, Auckland, and launched the Tip Top Bread brand into New Zealand. Within New Zealand, Tip Top is an icon. But what many people may not realise is that Tip Top bread and Tip Top ice-cream are not made by the same company. The Tip Top Bread Company is owned by Allied Foods, a subsidiary of George Weston Foods in Australia. In the 1970s, GWF purchased Taylor’s Bakery in Northcote and later Denhards in Wellington. In the mid-eighties, North’s Bakeries in Christchurch and Dunedin were added to the group. Today, the business employs more than 500 people in five manufacturing sites. In Christchurch, a massive bread production factory exists in Harewood. In the factory, 85 workers and machines work day and night, churning out millions of loaves a week. The breadline in the Harewood factory makes 6000 loaves an hour and the bun and roll line makes 5500 items an hour. The factory also makes crumpets and pikelets and there is a crumbing plant. These products are for Tip Top, and other brands such as Ploughmans, Burgen, Bazaar, Golden Crumpets and Big Ben. Like all machines, the ones in the GWF factory break down occasionally. Six engineers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fixing anything that needs repair. Four years ago, a big upgrade took place but in the process the engineers were relegated to crammed quarters. In January, construction began on a new workshop which was finished on time and on budget in July.

Prime Minister John Key meets the engineering staff when he opened their new workshop at the GWF Tip Top Bakeries site in Harewood in August

it. The engineers can work on their own work benches now, unlike before when we were all on one bench.” The workshop includes an office and upstairs storage area for spare parts. “Having a storage area is really important,” Clinton says. “Now everything is laid out properly — beforehand things were in containers stored all around Christchurch. Now everything is in one spot onsite, meaning there is easy access at all times of the day and night to spare parts.” The sound construction of the engineering workshop, and the factory as a whole, became evident after the September 4 earthquake when the premises were undamaged. Prime Minister John Key opened the new workshop on August 16 during a factory tour and morning tea with the staff.

While everything is going smoothly at the factory and especially the new engineering workshop, Clinton says that does not mean they are not looking for ways to improve. “We are always upgrading — part of the plant is reasonably old, so within the next two years we’d like to upgrade it. And we’re also looking at doing automation to make the plant more efficient.” Innovation and a more modernised factory means more generations of Kiwis will enjoy Tip Top products in the future. George Weston Foods (GWF) — Tip Top Bakeries PO Box 14087 Christchurch 8544 T (03) 357 8810 F 0800 484 786 E tony.clinton@gwf.com.au www.gwfbaking.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Engineering manager Tony Clinton says the staff enjoy working in their new space. “We all love

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Community spirit to the fore If there is ever a chance to see what people are made of, it is when disaster strikes. When the September 4 earthquake rocked their region the people of Canterbury pulled together and showed the rest of New Zealand real community spirit, and Telecom’s people were no exception. Telecom showed resilience in all sorts of ways; the network and services stayed largely intact, and Telecom people put helping others first, despite disruption to their own homes. The Telecom team showed their dedication to restore services allowing family, friends, businesses and essential services to stay in touch, at a time when it was most important. While walls shook around them, Telecom people in Christchurch manned the 111 emergency line, technicians and engineers got straight in to their vans to get working on damaged parts of the network, and they relocated voice, mobile and data services for critical organisations such as the Christchurch District Health Board and Civil Defence. One of the most striking stories came from the 111 team who remained calm and answered calls as the building shook and swayed. The team reassured frightened residents, going above and beyond the call of duty. For Telecom Retail customers who were unable to use home phones, free call diverts were provided; free local, national and mobile calling was available on payphones; and free wireless broadband hotspots were made available around the city.

The Telecom network stood up considerably well during the quake and is a testament to the reliability and robustness of the service that will continue to connect New Zealanders. To restore service, Telecom’s network business Chorus, brought in 100 additional technicians, engineers and managers from around the country. Telecom prioritised critical clients, including Civil Defence, ensuring they were equipped with telecommunication services such as temporary mobile sites, mobiles and free account credit top-ups to volunteers’ mobile phones. Support was received from Telecom clients, organisations, and the community. Telecom client Mainfrieght trucked bottles of water to Telecom people and JEL Electrical provided ten of their electricians to assist with industrial repair work. Chapman Tripp, Telecom’s lawyers, offered free legal advice to Telecom staff, and ADT security watched over the homes of Telecom people. Further practical help and support was provided to nearly 1500 Telecom people based in Christchurch, including housing assistance, counselling and support and paid leave. As Christchurch dealt with the days after the quake, Telecom people got out on to the streets to do letterbox drops to provide updates and information to those without phone and broadband services.

It was a privilege for Telecom to be part of this immense effort, alongside Cantabrians and organisations in the commercial and voluntary sectors. STILL STANDING: Local, national and mobile calls on payphones were made free to help Christchurch people stay in touch.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 81

Property and Construction | Miles Construction

ositive progress

Miles Construction has done what many other construction companies couldn’t — it has achieved positive growth through the recession due to a wide portfolio of work and ability to offer clients unrivalled value for money. “We add value by effective and timely communication throughout the project and by going beyond the scope of our work to achieve the best outcome for our clients,” owner Alastair Miles says. “The company’s diverse portfolio of work has been a great stabilising factor. Currently we are seeing increased activity in our renovations and extensions work, while the commercial side seems quieter.” Miles Construction is owned by Alastair and his wife Donna. Alastair is also an elected member of the Canterbury Association of Registered Master Builders’ executive and serves on the Canterbury branch board of NZ Institute of Quantity Surveyors. What the company does is simple to say — it offers build, design and project management services nationwide. Its work portfolio includes residential (small units to million dollar architectural homes), light commercial, hospitality and industrial work. The key, as always, is doing it well. “We have an extensive track record in renovations and extensions, from small to $500,000-plus projects,” Alastair says.

“We offer guidance on the practicalities and financial implications of different options. This enables our clients to make informed decisions on the extent and the design of their renovation prior to committing to detailed design fees. In this way, our clients don’t get disappointed with over-run budgets.” The company has been involved with a number of retirement villages and social housing projects. It has recently completed stage one of a project involving the construction of 24 retirement cottages at Windsor House in Shirley. “Another growing area for us is dealing with leaky homes,” Donna says. “The company is currently working with three different clients to resolve their leaky home problems.”

Commercial and hospitality work The hospitality activities of the company are centred on building and fitouts of new coffee shops and restaurants. Miles Construction is a preferred project manager for the Lone Star Restaurant Group. “Our most recent project for the Lone Star group has been the build and fit-out of the new Joe’s Garage coffee shop in Sumner. We also enjoyed working on the recently completed fit-out of The Naked Baker in New Brighton,” she says. “On the commercial side, we are very proud to have had Nokia Australasia, RSPCA Canterbury and Comcare as some of our clients. Our commercial clients appreciate our flexibility and ability to deliver their projects within a tight time frame and to the exact budget.” Miles Construction is a member of Site Safe and has a full working health and safety policy. A new area of business for Miles Construction is rural, with the company recently building its fifth dairy shed in the lower South Island. “Our involvement in the agricultural sector is gathering momentum,” Donna says. “We work closely with Reporoa Engineering and have just finished a dairy shed that is regarded to be the best dairy shed in West Otago and Southland. From the top:

Dairy sheds are a new area of business; a commercial project, the Nokia Care store in Armagh St, Christchurch; the Tai Tapu house which won Miles Construction a silver award (new homes $450,000 to $600,000) in the 2010 House of the Year

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We are responding quickly to earthquake related construction work and have been working closely with Canterbury’s residents and businesses to make safe, secure and rebuild damaged structures. 1st Floor, 194 Hereford Street, PO Box 36680, Christchurch, New Zealand 82 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

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Property and Construction | Miles Construction left: The unique Intello Plus building wrap used by Miles Construction

The company is also undertaking a number of interesting renovation projects, one being the total renovation of a neglected, but grand, character house in Fendalton. The owners have made a decision to stay in the house during the renovations. “They are the world’s most patient people and have miraculously managed to stay sane and cheerful throughout the process,” Donna Miles says. “The house was left totally dilapidated for a number of years. Many people would have considered bowling it but thankfully our clients could appreciate the value and history of this magnificent home and have decided to bring it back to its original glory.” Another interesting renovation project is taking place in Akaroa. Weir Walker Architects have done an amazing job of designing the renovation and extension of this existing bach. “This will be our second cantilever steel-frame hill construction in Akaroa. The result will be a total transformation of the original bach,” Alastair says.

Thermal insulation technology Miles Construction is also building a house involving the latest technology in thermal insulation. Situated in Christchurch and designed by architect Haden Elmsie, it is the first house in Canterbury to utilise the Pro Clima building system, a unique, globally proven system that guarantees measurable outcomes in airtightness and moisture control. New to New Zealand, this European technology works by utilising the use of the Intello Plus product, an intelligent internal wrap that prevents air movement through the building fabric, greatly improving the energy efficiency of the home and reducing moisture build up within the structure. “You haven’t got any air movement through your walls, which then condensates when it hits the cold surfaces,” Alastair says. The system also ensures the longterm effectiveness of the insulation and the structural durability of the building by protecting it from moisture damage. The Intello Plus wrap not only prevents air coming into the house, but interestingly includes a membrane that lets moisture out.

Miles Construction Limited First Floor, 194 Hereford Street Christchurch 8011 T (03) 379 6997 F (03) 379 6999 www.milesconstruction.co.nz — Advertising Feature

design analysis,” he says. “Building energy efficient houses is only going to become more and more important. In the UK and Europe homes are rated on thermal efficiency which can have an impact on price. “I think now that the extent of leaky homes and poor building practices of the past are becoming more apparent, there will be increased interest in airtightness and thermal efficiency”. Miles Construction has had a number of architects visiting the site to look at the project. Alastair and Donna hope to form a closer partnership with architects who are interested in sustainable homes, as they see it as a strong new direction for Miles Construction.

Alastair says the Pro Clima product has opened up new possibilities in thermal insulation and has given Miles Construction a new focus in residential building. “It’s given us a lot of information on how to design for thermal efficiency. We’ve learned an awful lot and it’s not just about the internal wrap, it’s about basic

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 83

Property and Construction | Calder Stewart Steel

Steeled

for success

New Zealand is well endowed with ironsand deposits along western beaches of both main islands, but the many attempts to establish an iron and steel industry foundered on the high titanium content of the ore. Overseas expertise proved useless. Eventually the ingenuity and resourcefulness of New Zealand scientists and engineers prevailed to solve the problem and establish a successful steel industry. The story of how the steel industry got under way here is much like that of Calder Stewart and the establishment of its steel division. Calder Stewart came to fruition through the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Lance Calder and Bruce Stewart. They started out in 1955 with a Ford Prefect, a wooden trailer and 25 pounds capital, building a couple of houses a year plus haybarns and farm buildings. Their first commercial building was constructed in 1960. Tragedy struck 19 years later when Calder died of a heart attack. However, the Calder name was retained as a sign of respect and the company became Calder Stewart Industries Limited. Although the complexity, size and diversity of the structures now built by

Calder Stewart have changed, the company’s commitment to traditional business ethics has not. Calder Stewart maintains the same entrepreneurial outlook supported by innovative thinking on which the business was founded. This has allowed the company to diversify beyond construction and today boasts divisions from forestry to roofing and, of course, steel. Based in Milton, South Otago, Calder Stewart Steel provides structural steel solutions for building projects throughout New Zealand. Fiftyfive years after it was established, the company

still undertakes a full range of farm buildings, including wool sheds, dairy milking sheds and covered feed pads. Commercial warehouses and other industrial buildings also make up a big slice of the workload. Current projects include the almost completed Air New Zealand Distribution Centre at Christchurch Airport, two warehouses at Izone Drive Rolleston, transport and storage buildings in Invercargill and work with Fonterra at Edendale and Mosgiel. Calder Stewart Steel is also working on the Marlborough District Council carpark building in Alfred Street, Blenheim — a $6 million project designed for up to 350 cars. Calder Stewart Steel has skilled machine operators and welders who can fabricate any steelwork required, manager Sean Lloyd says. “We provide the full range of structural steel services, from small intricate metalwork items such as handrails through to large sporting and retail complexes.” The company’s leading 3D software has allowed productivity gains which have kept it in a competitive position. The software allows the completed structure of a building to be viewed before construction commences, to ensure the structural steel components will fit together. “We’ve been using our 3D modelling software for about five years now. In a sense, the buildings have been made before they have

even been put up. Overall, it has substantially improved accuracy and production speed.” While the industry is still proving volatile as it begins its tentative recovery, Lloyd is confident it is on its way back up. “There’s a lot of tendering going on at the moment which gives us confidence the work is out there. “We have remained steady throughout the recession; we’ve been around for a long time so we are able to source materials are competitive prices and our skilled workers have ensured we have maintained a strong reputation within the industry.” Calder Stewart Steel 332 Union Street Milton T (03) 417 7245 F (03) 417 9779 www.calderstewart.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Agribusiness | News

Travel without borders By Bridget Gourlay

Last year, on my way through Europe, I got up early in the morning in Budapest and hopped on a train. In the following nine hours, I travelled out of Hungary, through Austria and exited in Munich. Nobody asked to see my passport. Occasionally I had to present my papers and ticket to the inspector, but they only really cared if I was accidentally sitting in first class (Hungarian isn’t my forte — and Eastern European ‘first class’ carriages don’t look it). My bags weren’t checked and I didn’t have to fill out any forms about what was in them. During the next month I visited Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris, meeting the same disinterested glance at my passport, thorough inspection of where I was sitting and complete unconcern about my bags or their contents. All this is because Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic, Holland and France are in the European Union and have almost no border control. They’ve made the decision that it makes sense economically to treat the place as one big country. If you’re flying into Rome from Asia

you will go through usual security and customs procedures, but from there you can drive or take the train all the way to Romania without any stops.

varroa mite that has heavily damaged our bee industry. Combined these are causing millions of dollars in damage but in Australia, millions would easily become billions.”

So the argument goes — why can’t New Zealand and Australia do the same? We are maybe a three hour flight away, but so is Rome from Bucharest.

Closer economic ties with Australia, similar to the ones made in Europe during the 60s and 70s have long been floated – the most extreme of which involve creating a common currency or New Zealand becoming the 9th state of Australia. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Australia and New Zealand have one of the most open economic and trade relationships of any two countries in the world.

The Australian based chief executive of Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan, has called for the New Zealand and Australian governments to drop immigration checks and passenger charges on one side of the Tasman. Jetstar commissioned an Access Economics report on the subject, which found dropping border controls could cut return airfares by $94 and increase passenger numbers by up to 13 percent. However, Federated Farmers has slammed Jetstar’s call as “short sighted commercial self-interest”. President Don Nicholson says “It would take 670,000 flights at the $94 saving, just to match the $63 million we’ve spent on eradicating the painted apple moth, which is a minor pest there but deemed a major risk here”. Nicholson says both countries have “nasties” the other country wishes to avoid. “I don’t think the Australian Government would like didymo entering Australia. Nor would they want the

This is based on a comprehensive set of trade and economic arrangements, collectively known as Closer Economic Relations (CER), which started under Muldoon’s leadership in 1983. Making these relations even closer would be fraught with complications, as Federated Farmers points out. But the European model has shown these could be overcome with political will. Customs Minister Maurice Williamson has ruled out developing these ties in the near future, calling them a nice concept, but difficult and costly to implement. “The vast bulk of these benefits can be achieved through initiatives like SmartGate, which make trans-Tasman travel a near domestic like

experience, without exposing New Zealand to those biosecurity and immigration risks. Initiatives to further streamline travel between the two countries can be expected on an ongoing basis.”

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Agribusiness | News

Pressing

concerns By Bridget Gourlay

Not so long ago, a typical Kiwi family on a typical weekend drive had two lunch options; pies and a cuppa at a roadside diner, or something deep fried with a brew at a pub. How times have changed. In the last decade or so, the rise of the café culture has seen New Zealanders turn to fine fare and vino at vineyards dotted around the countryside — and nobody’s looking back. While there have been a few vineyards about New Zealand since the 1850s, we have only become a serious wine producing nation in the last 20 years. Some parts of the country have undergone a seismic change — vines grow where sheep used to graze, seasonal shearing work has been replaced by seasonal picking and pruning. Tourism is no longer about country pubs and fluffy lambs, but gourmet restaurants hosting wine tastings. New Zealand Winegrowers, an industry group, says we hit one billion dollars in exports last year, a stunning achievement for an industry that exported only $100 million of wine a decade ago. Wine adds $1.28 billion to New Zealand’s GDP and $3.5 billion to gross output each year. Many of our wineries are small, ‘unique and boutique’ vineyards, often run by families or friends with a passion for wine and a bit of Kiwi ingenuity, selling medium to high priced and often well acclaimed wine. But all this could change because of several factors. Firstly, the recession, like a hard frost, has wiped out several unique and boutique New Zealand vineyards.

The rise of an industry

 Samuel Marsden introduced

grapevines to New Zealand at Kerikeri in 1819 and James Busby produced wine on his Waitangi estate in the 1830s

 French settlers at Akaroa planted vineyards throughout the 1800s

 Mission Vineyards, established in 1865 in the Hawke’s Bay, is New Zealand’s oldest established vineyard

 Since 1955 the annual

consumption of wine has been steadily increasing

 In 2000, there were 358 wineries in the country and exports totalled $100 million

 In 2009, there were 643

wineries and exports hit the $1 billion mark

 Four bottles of local wine are

drunk for each one imported.

shouldn’t be cutting back in marketing though — in fact, we should spend more than we’ve ever done before.” The other problem is, there was a supply imbalance out of the 2008 vintage which put retailers in a position of power, with a lot of wine to chose from and the power to deliver great deals to consumers. This stung smaller vineyards who couldn’t afford to sell wine in bulk at such low prices to retailers.

Stock up now Gregan says now is the time to stock up on cheap wine, because anecdotally the 2010 harvests are closer to the usual demand situation. “The key for vintage 2011 and 2012 is to not produce more than the market can bear, produce in market demand.” Small wineries have also been hit hard by the increasing excise on wine.

NZ Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan says small wineries need to do what every other company has been doing.

Sheryl Dennis, co-owner of Marble Point Winery near Hanmer Springs says the 2008 over-harvest forced them to keep their sales local instead of expanding, because they couldn’t afford to sell into national restaurants and supermarkets.

It went up four cents per bottle on July 1, but a New Zealand Winegrowers survey showed 84 percent of vineyards did not lift their prices, instead absorbing the rise themselves. The excise tax has risen 11.6 percent since June 2006.

“Everybody has to take a long look at their business model and reduce costs with their growers or at the wineries. We definitely

“We can’t compete with the prices some people are giving their wine away at. I don’t know how they make money.”

Dennis says excise tax is an “awfully big” part of their expenses. “Being a new business, we actually pay more excise than GST.”

Dennis feels the New Zealand wine industry is one that needs encouragement, not penalties, because of its benefits to the environment, tourism and the economy. Philip Gregan agrees. He says small wineries add colour, excitement and experimentation to the industry. “We’re not talking about Coca-Cola here. They’re a statement about New Zealand. Wine is seen as a sophisticated, upmarket, modern product that reflects our country.” It’s not all bad news for the wine industry, even for smaller wineries that are struggling. Our wine continues to sell well globally, win international awards and draw tourists. And with emerging middle class markets in China and India beginning to demand wine, this “very hot prospect” according to Gregan, could mean even more stunning export figures.

120 High Street, Southbridge, Canterbury, New Zealand Ph: 03 324 2571 www.drilling.co.nz

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Agribusiness | News

Foreign property By Melinda Collins

Foreign investment deals in agriculture are nothing new. In colonial times European countries established plantation economies in Africa, Asia and Latin America to export food. Today Persian Gulf states are working out land deals in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe while India has set up agricultural projects in Brazil and South Korea recently tried to purchase almost half the island of Madagascar. “If food was ever a soft policy before,” editorialises the Financial Times, “it now rivals oil as a basis of power and economic security”. Control over the land that produces this power is as critical today as it has ever been.

NZ foreign investment Land ownership disputes have been long associated with our little slice of south Pacific life. But recent high profile transactions (like the Chinese-backed bid for the 16 farms in the failed Crafar empire), have reignited discussions over foreign investment in our precious agricultural land. While he wouldn’t address the Crafar sale specifically, Prime Minister John Key recently expressed his concern. “I’d hate to see New Zealanders as tenants in their own country and that is a risk, I think, if we sell out our entire productive base.” New Zealand’s regulations governing foreign investment restrictions are liberal by international standards, as New Zealand maintains targeted foreign investment restrictions in only a few critical areas. Overseas investments in New Zealand assets are screened only if they are defined as ‘sensitive’ within the Overseas Investment Act 2005. While the country has shown little concern at land and buildings being purchased by Australian interests, which own $80 billion of Kiwi assets, Winston Peters is suggesting the act’s criteria be revisited by the government. “There will be more and more Crafar scenarios and company takeovers in the future unless action is taken now.” He says that 25 years ago 19 percent of our sharemarket was foreign owned, today that figure is 70 percent. He also claims more than 150,000 hectares of New Zealand farmland — almost the size of Stewart Island — has been lost to foreign ownership in the past five years alone. “Land ownership is not a two way street - for example, Japanese can buy our land, but we are not allowed to buy theirs, Chinese can buy our land, but we are not allowed to buy theirs. They are not to blame — we are.” Federated Farmers agrees, suggesting the solution is simple — reciprocity. “We have no issue with direct foreign investment, so long

as we can buy farmland there, on the same basis as they can do here,” Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson said in a recent speech. But direct foreign investment is not without its opponents. The wider economic threat from foreign ownership is what Murray Horton of CAFCA (Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa) calls economic imperialism. “We’re anti-imperialists — and in this case we’re targeting foreign corporations. “It’s simply a new, Chinese version of the British economic colonisation that dominated this country’s agriculture up until the 1970s.” It takes a similar view to that of the recently formed Save the Farms group, which proposes what is effectively a closed door policy to any overseas investor who wants to invest in New Zealand farming.

Friend or foe? Foreign investment fears have been slammed as “media hype” by global accountancy firm KPMG in its latest report into the agricultural sector. Titled Evolving Agenda: Foreign Investors — friends or foes? the report says there is no evidence New Zealand is experiencing an unusually high level of foreign investment in agricultural assets. KPMG’s head of agribusiness Ian Proudfoot says the country is not as attractive to foreign investors as Kiwis may believe. “The high price of quality agricultural land and our remoteness to the rest of the world means that even with the natural benefits of water and the link product has to New Zealand’s sustainable brand, we are unlikely to be top of the list of preferred destinations for most international land investors.” The report says New Zealand’s small, developed economy will always require “inbound investment” to supplement a lack of equity, but there is no justification for significant changes to the overseas investment rules. The paper does recognise the high price of land in New Zealand as a deterrent to getting young

people onto the land and investing in farms. It suggests we develop schemes to link young farmers with potential equity investors and provide an entry point to the farm ownership ladder. It says the government should not rush the process of reviewing the Overseas Investment Act, but must ensure investor confidence is maintained and that New Zealand remains an attractive destination for foreign investment capital. “New Zealand needs to establish a set of rational criteria to ensure that the best outcome is achieved for growing New Zealand’s wealth and exclude, to the maximum extent possible, emotion from the decision making process,” Proudfoot says. Regarding potential areas of change, the report says “Areas where changes could be considered include ensuring the criteria used by the Overseas Investment Office to assess an application expressly consider the value the transaction creates for New Zealand and the inclusion of a cap on the amount of land an inbound investor can hold, to prevent excess concentration of land ownership to the detriment of the future wealth of the economy”. With regards to reciprocity, the report says enacting a ‘one-way’ policy could be detrimental. New Zealand agribusiness companies need to follow the lead of Fonterra and Zespri by adopting a strategy for sourcing globally. “The achievement of such strategies requires the companies to be able to source product from owned or controlled facilities around the world to provide key customers with guaranteed year round supply, enabling the profits of these activities to be remitted back to New Zealand,” the report says. The success of that strategy means New Zealand companies need to be able to access land in other countries. The report says New Zealand cannot afford to “adopt policy settings which would restrict this access in an adverse way”.

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Agribusiness | Meat Industry Association/Conference 2010

Y E A R S

Meat industry’s

state of evolution The New Zealand meat industry has faced huge changes during the past 25 years and continues to operate in a challenging environment. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA), which was formed following a decision in late 1984 to rename and restructure the New Zealand Freezing Companies’ Association and the Meat Exporters’ Council. This created an organisation that represented processors, exporters and marketers in one body for the first time. MIA chairman Bill Falconer says the past 25 years have seen the meat industry change significantly, from freezing companies exporting frozen carcasses, to modern food production and marketing companies providing tailored, shelf-ready products for individual clients and markets. “Since 1984 the industry has operated in a challenging environment and 2009-10 was no exception,” he says. “ While in-market prices for products such as lamb have been at some of their highest levels ever, these high prices have not been reflected in the returns to the industry,

primarily as a result of exchange movements, he says. The key trade objective for the meat industry is access to all commercially and strategically important markets, on terms that maximise net returns to the industry. The New Zealand meat industry is highly export focused, so trade agreements that help to maximise returns through the reduction of tariffs, subsidies and other non-tariff barriers are vitally important for the meat industry. “In the area of trade policy and market access, it is frustrating that there is still no immediate prospect of a successful conclusion to the WTO Doha Development Round,” Falconer says. “More pleasing has been the considerable activity over the year in other trade negotiations and agreements.” There have been a number of agreements signed and come into force, and there are a number of other negotiations under way.

Drop in meat industry earnings Unfavourable exchange rates have been the main factor behind the industry’s export earnings decreasing from $6.5 billion in the previous year, to $5.7 billion in the year ended June 2010. The industry accounted for 26 percent of New Zealand’s total primary sector export value, and 14 percent of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports. The value of these exports was about 11 percent lower than in the previous year. This was driven primarily by exchange rate trends, with the New Zealand dollar trading at significantly higher levels than in 2008-09, particularly over the peak of the processing season.

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The global economic downturn has also had an impact on returns for some products, such as hides and skins. Exports of by-products and co-products provide significant revenue for the industry, and allow processors to maximise the value of each carcass. In the year ended June 2010 exports of these products were worth $1.07 billion, or 19 percent of the industry’s total revenue. The major co-products and by-products exported were hides and skins, edible offal, tallow, and meat and bone meal.

Ethical and environmental issues Globally, there has been a growing focus on ‘ethical’ aspects of food production, particularly halal certification and the production of methane by ruminant animals. This is an area the industry has been active in, with the MIA co-sponsoring a study of the greenhouse gas footprint of exported New Zealand lamb. The study found the industry has made great progress in reducing its emissions during the last 20 years. There has also been considerable activity on another significant environmental issue, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). While participating in the ETS development process, MIA remains strongly opposed to the current processor level point of obligation for onfarm emissions, as it provides no incentive for individual farmers to reduce their emissions. Looking to next year, the industry will be paying particular attention to the amalgamation of NZFSA back into the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).

Agribusiness | Meat Industry Association/Conference 2010

Inside the MIA

products. About 800,000 tonnes or 85 percent of the production is exported to more than 100 overseas destinations.

The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand Inc works hard to ensure growth and maximised returns for the country’s vital meat industry. The voluntary trade association represents processors, marketers and exporters.

MIA’s affiliate members add to the depth of expertise available from the membership, with representation throughout the meat supply chain, including road and rail transport, shipping lines, ports, packaging firms, energy and insurance providers, specialist product exporters and research and technology.

As an incorporated society, it is owned by members and represents companies supplying the majority of New Zealand sheepmeat exports and all beef exports, producing 15 percent of New Zealand’s exports by value (26 percent of New Zealand’s primary sector revenue), and four percent of New Zealand’s gross domestic product . MIA member companies operate about 65 processing plants throughout the country. These plants slaughter and process about 23 million lambs, 4.2 million sheep and 3.8 million cattle and calves each year. Ninety percent of this production is processed into value-added

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The MIA holds directorships on: MIRINZ Inc (industry research); the Meat Promotion Group (generic market development/promotion); the Meat Biologics Consortium and its associated Meat Biologics Research Company; Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd (including the New Zealand Meat Board); Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc; NZITO (our industry training organisation); Ovis Management Ltd (OML) and the Shippers’ Council.

identify and manage industry risks whenever appropriate, and be at the forefront of international food safety and the environmental sustainability of agricultural production with the aim of maintaining competitive advantage.

Photos provided courtesy of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

The MIA provides an in-house legal counsel for use by its members and manages the recruitment and supply of halal slaughtermen for the industry. It advocates on behalf of its members and provides advice on economic, trade policy, market access, employment relations, business compliance costs and technical and regulatory issues facing the industry. Its particular focus is on food safety trends and developments in importing countries, economic and trade aspects of market access to key overseas markets and major public policy proposals that could impact on industry operations.

Association goals

The MIA also facilitates a range of industry-good research and development initiatives.

The MIA operates with the aim of maximising returns for members of the meat industry. It works to ensure long-term market access,

As a trade association advocating for business interests, a key strategic objective of MIA is to assist members in the minimisation of

regulatory-imposed business costs, commonly referred to as ‘red tape’, and to promote a regulatory environment that maximises opportunities for business efficiency. This frequently involves making submissions on bills referred to Select Committee and public discussion documents released by various government departments. One of MIA’s key roles is to lobby the government for beneficial change to current law and to represent industry’s position in submissions on relevant proposed laws. Feature continues on next page >>

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Agribusiness | Meat Industry Association/Conference 2010

2010 Meat Industry Association annual conference

The Meat Industry Association (MIA) held its 18th annual conference at the Chateau on the Park in Christchurch on September 19-20. The conference was attended by around 130 delegates from MIA member companies, companies associated with the red meat industry, government agencies and other organisations. Focus on productivity and ethics

Around 130 delegates attended the MIA conference in September

The theme for this year’s conference was the exploration of the growing tension between the global requirement for productivity improvements in food production and the concurrent growth in “ethical” demands on food production, including environmental, animal welfare, religious and human health. The conference opened on Sunday afternoon with an introduction from MIA chairman Bill Falconer, followed by the keynote opening address from the Minister of Trade Tim Groser. In his address, Groser covered a range of issues of interest to the industry, including the

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significant role of agriculture in New Zealand productivity growth, the importance of agriculture in New Zealand’s trade policy agenda, the trade outlook and the growing importance of Asia for New Zealand. He also gave an update on the different trade agreements that New Zealand is currently negotiating.

Government policy overview Following Groser’s address, journalist Colin James from the Hugo Group provided an overview of the state of New Zealand politics and government policy. This was a broad summary of the current political landscape, and what are likely to be the main policy areas the government will be focusing on in the near term. It included some more specific comments on particular areas such as water rights and management, the emissions trading scheme, energy policy and regulatory reform. That evening the cocktail function and conference dinner were held at the International Antarctic Centre. Delegates were entertained by speaker Jamie Fitzgerald, who gave some anecdotes and lessons learned from his adventures, which have included rowing across the Antarctic and, appropriately given the venue, walking to the South Pole unaided.

Agribusiness | Meat Industry Association/Conference 2010

The second day of the Meat Industry Association’s annual conference saw a more detailed exploration of the conference theme by a range of local and international speakers.

Displays and discussions were a feature of the MIA conference in September

Sessions focused on various topics, including:  The role of science and innovation  The changing face of the meat industry in New Zealand and globally  Two sessions on the changing face of the markets for the meat industry’s products.

Biotechnologies in agriculture The first session, covering science and innovation, saw Dr Jimmie Suttie from AgResearch argue the place for novel biotechnologies in New Zealand agriculture. He was followed by Simone Tully from OBE Organic in Australia, which collectively manages more than 1.6 million hectares of rangelands with a cattle herd of 80,000. Suttie argued the case for positioning New Zealand as a provider of premium ‘biotechnology-free’ food. The third speaker in the session was Murray Sherwin, director general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, who looked at the role government can play in science and innovation. The second session in the morning took a closer look at the meat industry, both internationally and domestically. Richard Brown, from Gira Euroconsulting, gave a detailed presentation on the state of the international meat industry, covering trends in global meat production, trade and consumption. He was followed by Rob Davison, executive director of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand economic service, who gave an overview of domestic industry trends, covering topics such as pastoral land use change, the production outlook, livestock changes and plant capacity, and the profit outlook for sheep and beef farms. Lunch was prepared for delegates by Beef + Lamb NZ ambassador chef Jonny Schwass, who opened Restaurant Schwass in Christchurch in 2007. Schwass has received a number of awards, including Christchurch finalist in the Cuisine Restaurant of the Year two years in a row.

Changing industry markets The afternoon sessions focused on the changing face of the New Zealand meat industry’s markets, and the challenges and opportunities in these markets. The first speaker in the session was the British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr Mike Cherrett. The UK and Europe are very important markets for the New Zealand meat industry and his presentation looked at what is making customers in these markets tick, covering issues such as climate change and sustainability.

He was followed by John Allen, chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who looked at the Government’s role in enhancing New Zealand’s export success. The third speaker of the afternoon was Darhim Hashim, chief executive of the Malaysian-based International Halal Integrity Alliance. Hashim outlined the growing market opportunities for halal food, and provided details of the work being undertaken by his organisation to develop a global halal standard. Carol Barnao from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority wrapped up the sessions on the markets. She focused on New Zealand’s response to the growing challenges and opportunities of ethical matters in trade, and made the point that unless these ethical issues and influences are recognised and properly managed, they have the potential to have an adverse impact on New Zealand’s reputation. The Minister of Agriculture, David Carter was scheduled to give the keynote closing address, but was unfortunately unable to attend because of other commitments. The speech was delivered on his behalf by MAF director general Murray Sherwin, who touched on some of the challenges facing the red meat industry before going on to look at some of the Government’s initiatives in agriculture, including the Primary Growth Partnership, biosecurity initiatives and investment in the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre. Following the Minister’s speech the conference was closed by MIA chairman Bill Falconer. The conference was well supported by a number of sponsor, including platinum sponsor Maersk Lines; gold sponsors Bemis Flexible Packaging Ltd, Ecolab, Hamburg-Sud, RealCold Milmech, System Controls Ltd and Multivac New Zealand Ltd; silver sponsors AsureQuality and Industrial Research Ltd; bronze sponsors AUS-MEAT Limited, Beef + Lamb NZ Inc, Foss, GS 1 New Zealand Inc, Orica, Seatrade NZ and Sealed Air.

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Agribusiness | Grant Hood Contracting

Moving mountains It seems earthmoving is not just the forte of tectonic plates, with Grant Hoood Contracting working hard to secure a solid position in Canterbury’s earthmoving industry. The business began in 2002 when Grant Hood, along with his 23 years of experience and expertise in the industry, and wife Carolyn, decided to launch the company. “We do any farm development work, land clearing, pond construction and a lot of skifield work — basically anything that involves moving dirt,” Grant laughs. “We saw the opportunity to start the business, so we purchased an existing business and went from there.”

Plant and equipment

They make a formidable team who enjoy working together to meet the needs of their clients and have created a company they are proud of, and rightfully so. During the past six years Grant and Carolyn have never looked back as the business continues to grow and exceed all their expectations.

To maintain the growth of the business, Grant Hood Contracting has ensured it has kept up with technology changes over the years and is always adding new machines and technology to remain in the forefront of the industry. The fleet includes:  Cat 627B scrapers

 2 axle tipulator trailer

 Cat 615 Elevator excavators

 3 axle Transporter trailer

 12 tonne Komatsu Excavators

 6x4 Isuzu truck

 12 tonne wheeled Hyundai Excavator

 Hino tip truck

 14G Cat graders

 Cat roller

 20 tonne Hyundai wheeled loader

 3x pumps.

Today Grant Hood Contracting stands as an innovative earthmoving business that goes the extra mile to achieve excellent results in every job undertaken, big or small. Grant Hood Contracting has a team of men who are well trained and work hard to achieve excellent results in all the areas required for the job. It has developed a sound reputation for those results and earned the company valuable market position within the industry.

 Hitachi Wheeled loader

Superior value “Grant Hood Contracting Ltd’s philosophy is to provide our clients with superior value and a solution to their contracting needs. To achieve this we will always provide excellence in service and workmanship in a professional manner, from our highly experienced and dedicated team of operators and management.” The company has a sound and effective policy on communication within the business structure and this filters out to the clients

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No job is too daunting for Grant Hood Contracting. Mt Hutt’s lift and trail system was extensively redeveloped in 2005, resulting in the best lift and terrain mix in the South Island. Grant and his team were responsible for the skifield development and picked up the Youngman Richardson Category C award for contracts $250,000 to $500,000. The conditions and environment were among the toughest, Grant says, but they enjoyed the challenge and faced the difficulties head on, achieving amazing results. The terrain was steep and the weather changeable, which made meeting deadlines difficult, but that didn’t hinder them at all and they managed to finish on time for the ski season. The 472 hectare ski field has many visitors every year — between 2000 and 4000 some days. The development included the addition of new lifts like the Summit Six which whizzes visitors to the top at ultra fast speed. Trails, off-piste, terrain parks and halfpipe are all accessed by the six seater express chairlift, an express quad chair, a triple chair and a 140 metre long surface conveyor lift — some of the best facilities in the country. Improvements for 2008 include more snowmaking, base building development and a new mini terrain park for beginners and novices. Grant Hood Contracting’s fast and efficient completion of the project initiated ongoing work for the business and now Grant Hood enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with the ski area. To maintain the growth of the business, Grant Hood Contracting has kept up with technological changes during the years and is always adding new machines to its ever- growing fleet. The wide range of machinery helps to make all the core services provided by Grant Hood Contracting to be completed efficiently and with as little fuss as possible for the client. Mitigating any adverse environmental effects is a major concern for the company.

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to ensure their needs and expectations are taken into account. The clients of Grant Hood Contracting receive 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on their workmanship.

We carry out Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning Repairs to the following.. • Cars, Vans and trucks • Light commercials • Farm machinery • Earth equipment We also Supply: • Ultra Batteries • Topcon Precision Agriculture Systems

Cool and Electrical 285 Havelock Street Ashburton T 03 307 7155 E info@coole.co.nz

Agribusiness | Grant Hood Contracting

Grant Hood Contracting has developed a policy to ensure all projects undertaken for clients has a positive effect on the environment. The company culture and ethics will not allow staff to engage in any work that adversely affects the environment. While the industry is poised to make a full recovery from the global recession, there is still some uncertainty. “There’s quite a bit of uncertainty within the industry at the present. “While the earthquake has been devastating for many people, it looks set to spawn a construction boom which will be a great kick start for the industry. “It is a very competitive industry. We have heavily focused on getting good operators and producing high quality workmanship.”

Agribusiness | Bob Howden Engineering

So what was the drawcard to the industry? “Early hours, long hours,” Grant laughs. “But it is very rewarding, particularly when a client is doing a substantial farm development, getting to see the project from one end to the other. “Seeing the finished product in a project which started as absolutely nothing is a great feeling.” Grant Hood Contracting 192 Racecourse Road Ashburton Canterbury T (03) 308 0287 F (03) 308 0286 www.granthoodcontracting.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Distinctive diversity Experience, talent, hard work and dedication; they’re essential for business success — and it has proved to be a winning formula for Bob Howden Engineering. Established by Howden in 1988, the company has developed a strong reputation for producing a wide range of quality manufacturing, repair and alteration work throughout the engineering, fabrication and machining fields. “I felt I had a lot to offer the industry; I had the experience and the know-how. It’s about having faith in yourself that you can make it happen,” he says. And make it happen he certainly did. Howden brought with him 14 years of engineering experience. From a farming background he completed his apprenticeship in a large rural Canterbury workshop where there was a strong emphasis on quality. This proved a thorough training ground, laying a sound basis to develop his skills over the following years.

Contracting services  Water races

 Hedge and stump removal

 Dairy tracks

 Capping dairy lanes

 Pond construction

 Border dyking.

Manufacturing on a contract basis further honed his productive skills, enabling high quality, innovative work to be produced in realistic time frames. Time was spent operating, building and repairing a wide range of machinery in New Zealand, Europe and Australia where he gained considerable experience, furthering his ability to think outside the square. This innovation continues to run strong in Bob Howden Engineering.

“We undertake a lot of one-off, custom built work through all stages of production, from design through to completion,” Howden says. “We have the ability to take someone’s thoughts and ideas and produce something which will do the job as well as carrying out more mass production type work.” It’s an ever changing workload but it allows the company to store its eggs in a variety of baskets. “We’ve become known for our mobile stages which are used for Carols by Candlelight, Summertimes outdoor concerts and the silver fern that is on display at the test matches at AMI stadium. These are unusual offshoots of what we do, but it makes for a diverse workload.” A wide range of machinery, comprehensive and large material stocks within the workshop allow Bob Howden Engineering to get the job done. “The workload is constantly changing. It’s about keeping an ear out for opportunities and being prepared to adapt. “I love the variety and challenges the industry provides. Every day is different.”

Bob Howden Engineering 24 Yukon Place Hornby Christchurch T (03) 349 4325 E howdeneng@woosh.co.nz www.bobhowden.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Quality doesn’t cost, it pays. So call the experts today! Satisfaction guaranteed with over 35 years experience We abrasive blast anything from steel, wood, glass, aluminium, concrete & swimming pools through to large industrial requirements.

Proud to be associated with Bob Howden Engineering Link Road, Belfast, Christchurch PO Box 88 Kaiapoi Ph. 03 323 8582 Fax. 03 323 7352 www.hendriksblasting.com

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 93

Agribusiness | Grounds & Services (GSL)

grounded operation Over the years Grounds & Services Ltd (GSL) has continued to develop the services provided to its clients and many have been unaware of the range and scope of services it is now able to provide.

The Christchurch-based company realises that for many people and businesses there is more to GSL than you may think. General manager Des Cameron says they sat down and looked at how they could get their message across. “Due to the range and diversity of work we undertake the first challenge for us was to sum up all the services into something simple. It took a number of months however, we finally summarised it into BREMVA — Build, Renovate, Enhance and Maintain your Valuable Assets,” he says. “We found this encapsulates all the services we provide across the range of specialities, be it from the building itself to the ground it sits on, its surroundings and includes sports fields and golf courses from construction to maintenance. From there Grounds & Services developed a DVD highlighting the range of specialities within each section of the business and the equipment it owns to carry out the work, highlighting some of its recent work and also showing innovative ways of tackling difficult problems its clients have presented it with. The company recently invited a number of clients and potential clients to a viewing of the DVD at AMI Stadium. “Most people said the same thing — ‘we didn’t realise you undertook such a range of services. We can get you to do everything we need without having to bother dealing with a range of suppliers’.” The team at Grounds & Services knew then they had achieved what they set out to do in producing this valuable resource.

A history of growth “There really is more to GSL than you may think,” Cameron says. “We are proud to be Canterbury-owned and operating since late 1997 when I saw an opportunity to tender for grounds maintenance.”

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The first tender at Templeton Hospital proved successful and the company started business with three staff employed on mowing and grounds maintenance. This contract continues today for Brackenridge — 12 years of continuous service. Above: Grounds & Services has been involved in the development of the drainage bunds at Awatea Basin on the old Wigram Airbase site Top: Grounds & Services hard at work at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium

The company also undertakes a variety of large scale mowing contracts and has a fleet of modern mowing equipment that can undertake work from fine golf course cutting to roadsides and difficult terrain.

PGG Wrightson Turf are proud to support Grounds and Services Ltd

Call 03 372 8719 or visit www.pggwrightsonturf.co.nz 94 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Agribusiness | Grounds & Services (GSL)

Grounds & Services recently purchased a new tractor for mowing and mulching in steep terrain which previously would have to be cut by hand using weedeaters and brushcutters. Instead, this machinery “eats” its way through dense gorse and broom. In 2002 GSL identified a demand for quality sports turf maintenance and has developed an excellent reputation for high-quality workmanship. It is in constant demand to build, renovate and maintain sports fields throughout the Canterbury region and beyond. A highlight for the company was the involvement alongside HG Turf Australia with the redevelopment of the turf at AMI Stadium. GSL purchased a trenching machine specifically to undertake the intricate drainage work required. The decision was justified after the work was completed and the first downpour arrived. Despite the drenching, the field was perfect for play within a few short hours. This machine has been used extensively since on other projects.

BREMVA — Build, Renovate, Enhance and Maintain your Valuable Assets — is the best way to encapsulate all that is Grounds & Services (GSL)

Significant projects Grounds & Services has a policy of owning the latest specialised equipment necessary to undertake the type of work it is known for. Even during the difficult economic times of the last 12-18 months the company has continued to purchase new equipment to ensure work can be undertaken in the most efficient way to benefit clients. Staff are also involved with developing drainage bunds at Awatea Basin on the old Wigram Airbase site. This involves shaping, laying ground course, placing top soil and functional rocks, then grassing and planting shrubs. The attractive area now meets the needs of the nearby housing estate by providing a pleasant environment for recreational purposes, as well as being effective in the filtration and disbursement of large quantities of rainwater. After heavy recent rain Cameron visited the site and the drainage was working exactly as it was designed to do. “Some of the specialty wet area plants were nearly under water and much of the rock work was not visible above the water line, just as was planned, and the water was flowing away to the designated areas,” he says. “This type of work is satisfying to be involved with as you can see the benefits to the environment and take pride in the visual result as well.”

Above: The company has recently undertaken renovation work on the fernery at Mona Vale Top: Grounds & Services has undertaken work at the Halswell Quarry

In addition, Grounds & Services employs a team of experienced builders to undertake a range of work from minor household repairs and maintenance to constructing various-sized commercial buildings and amenities. The team has recently undertaken renovation work on the fernery at Mona Vale, undertaking intricate landscape work involving the use of timber to ensure a top quality job was delivered.

“With so much specialist equipment now being employed it made sense to employ our own highly skilled mechanic, who has implemented an excellent maintenance programme ensuring the equipment is always at optimal operating capacity,” Cameron says. “This gives the staff a great sense of well being knowing that the equipment will keep operating with minimal breakdowns. “This means that the work can proceed without interruption, ensuring continuity of progress and reducing costs for the client — a win/win situation for all involved.” With the capability Grounds & Services has within its workshop, it is also able to undertake mechanical repairs and maintenance for external customers as well.

Proud suppliers to Grounds & Services Limited

“GSL has excellent relationships with its suppliers and subcontractors, which ensures that quality products and services are provided at every step of the job, giving the client peace of mind.” Grounds & Services Limited (GSL) PO Box 16324 Christchurch 8441 T (03) 349 0634 F (03) 349 0636 E inquiries@gsl.co.nz www.gsl.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Brokers

Claims Processing, Consulting, Risk Management Wholesale and Retail Landscape and Garden Supplies Canterbury Landscape Supplies 1250 Main North Road, Bridgend, Christchurch

P. 03 323 7797 sales@pottingmix.co.nz www.pottingmix.co.nz

Ph: 03 343 1917 Unit 1/251 Blenheim Road, Christchurch

“We like to work closely with our clients to understand their needs, and develop the best programme to ensure the desired outcome is achieved within the timeframe set out and within the client’s budget,” says Cameron.

Town and Country

Specialist machinery Grounds & Services also has a team of experienced operators and specialised equipment in the plant pest area, undertaking a variety of work, often in difficult locations and situations. Each site is treated on its merits and a treatment plan is developed, taking into account the site, environment, desired outcome and cost to ensure the best outcome for the client.

Over the years the company has increased in size, operational capacity and range of services provided so that today it can undertake nearly every job either below or on top of the surface.

“Proud to be associated with Grounds and Services Ltd”

D.R.Britton Ltd Christchurch phone: 03 349 6818 mobile: 0274 329 026 allan_frost@clear.net.nz

Proud to support Grounds and Services Ltd

John F Jacksoon P. 03 342 5646 E. john@townandcountry.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 95

Agribusiness | Fertiliser Quality Council

Controlling fertiliser quality

New Zealand is leading the world with its fertiliser voluntary best practice Fertmark and Spreadmark schemes, Fertiliser Quality Council executive director Kevin Geddes says. The trademark Fertmark ensures New Zealand farmers use independently assessed fertilisers, while Spreadmark assures quality fertiliser placement on New Zealand farm land. Both Fertmark and Spreadmark accredited companies are independently audited.

The New Zealand economy is dependent on soil nutrient levels that enable pastures and crops to grow the nutrient-rich food we export to consumers around the world.

Geddes says while there may be some general community belief that fertiliser is misused in New Zealand, that is simply not the case. Fertiliser is the single biggest item of expenditure on most farms and farmers are careful not to spend any more money on fertiliser than they have to.

Ellesmere because of intensification of land use must be balanced by increased human population close to the lake and large numbers of Canada geese and wild fowl on the lake.

Farmers can be confident that fertilisers supplied from Fertmark-registered companies are reliable and, if used properly, do not pose hazards to food safety or animal welfare.

Fertmark

Spreadmark

The Fertmark programme was established in 1996 to give New Zealand farmers confidence in the quality of fertilisers they use. It was initiated after the Fertiliser Act was repealed.

The Spreadmark programme was established by the NZ Groundspread Fertilisers’ Association in 1994 and was set alongside the Fertmark programme in 2000 and managed by the Fertiliser Quality Council.

Fertmark-approved fertilisers carry the distinctive Fertmark tick. There are 14 companies in the programme, with about 70 registered products. These products make up more than 95 percent of fertilisers sold in New Zealand.

The Fertiliser Quality Council is the governing body of the Fertmark and Spreadmark schemes and has representation from Federated Farmers, Hort NZ, NZGFA, NZAAA, fertiliser manufacturers and AgResearch.

“Farmers use soil testing to determine the nutrient levels in the soil. Cropping farmers understand very precisely the different nutrient needs of the plants, which relate to different plant growth stages,” Geddes says. “Fertiliser application is staggered throughout the growing season so farmers relate fertiliser application to match the nutrient needs of the particular crop being grown.” Dairy farmers have the additional issue of animal returns to deal with. Nutrients from animal returns are exactly the same as those in mineral fertilisers, and farmers use nutrient management plans to ensure the total nutrients available in the soil can be utilised. Awareness of the role of animal returns on soil nutrient levels is growing, with the discharge of dairy shed effluent managed by the regional council consent process. Geddes says pollution of waterways is a community issue. Claims of pollution of Lake

Proud to support F.Q.C Spreadmakr Certified Company with 5 Spreaders Specialists in all rural cartages i.e Live Stock, Wool, Fertilisers and Grain Freight Services - Fairlie - Timaru - Fairlie Ph 03 685 8583 | Email barwoodmotors@xtra.co.nz 96 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Agribusiness | Fertiliser Quality Council

At A Glance | Waitaki District Council

Harbourside transformation Oamaru’s Victorian harbour is undergoing a facelift which is transforming the heritage port. The first stage of work has seen the extension of Wansbeck Street from the historic precinct through to the harbour. The project, planned for the Waitaki District Council by Projenz, also saw the addition of a 1.3km cycle and walkway around the harbour. Harbour subcommittee chairman Gary Kircher is pleased with the result. “The harbour now connects with the grain and woolstore buildings that are there because of it,” he says. “It puts the historic context to both areas and opens it up to locals and visitors alike. We look forward to stage two which will continue this good work.”

Spreadmark is a fertiliser placement quality assurance programme. Its objective is the placement of fertilisers in locations where they can be of the most agricultural benefit and the least environmental harm. Spreading companies registered with Spreadmark provide a Spreadmark test certificate for spreading machinery and submit to an audit of the Spreadmark company’s management system, to ensure that farmer/ grower outcomes are met and environmental sustainability is protected. The Spreadmark logo can be seen on the trucks of more 100 spreading companies throughout New Zealand. Geddes says about 80 percent of the fertiliser that is spread in New Zealand is spread under the Spreadmark trademark. “Research into the placement of fertiliser has shown that fertiliser not evenly spread across the bout width set, will lead to agronomic loss to the farmer or grower. “No farmer wants the response to fertiliser applied to the land to be less than it should be through poor quality spreading. Spreadmark provides independent assurance that fertilise will be spread where the farmer wants it. “The Fertmark and Spreadmark trademarks are not regulations; they are voluntary industry codes that recognise there is a need to continually raise the standards of performance of industry practices. Spreadmark and Fertmark are best management practices.”

GOLDEN

Rex Stringer, the project co-ordinator, is also happy with progress. “The contractors have taken this on with a passion which was demonstrated by the way they suggested improvements as the project developed.” The next stage has started with restoration work being done on a stone wall next to Marine Parade. Further landscaping is planned. The improvements have met with positive comment from locals who are starting use the area more. Waitaki District Council Private Bag 50058 Oamaru 9444 T (03) 433 0300 F (03) 433 0301 E service@waitaki.govt.nz

— Advertising Feature

Innovative rural industry Geddes believes New Zealand is leading the world in fertiliser spreading through its ability to marshal the farming industry, fertiliser manufacturers and fertiliser spreaders, both ground and aerial. “We have reached an agreement between these parties that we need to have best industry practices,” he says. However, he says the science of fertiliser is extremely new. “While we’ve been using phosphorous in New Zealand since the late 1940s, it’s really only in the last decade and a-half that we’ve been using increased amounts of nitrogen to enhance grass growth. “The science surrounding fertiliser use is really quite young. “The science is only just emerging to answer those questions people have about nutrients in the soil. More science is needed to address the concerns of the wider community. “The New Zealand economy is dependent on soil nutrient levels that enable pastures and crops to grow the nutrient-rich food that we export to consumers around the world.”

Fertiliser Quality Council PO Box 414 Ashburton T (03) 307 8148 www.fqc.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Phone: 03 525 9843 email: sales@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 97

Agribusiness | Brightwater Engineering

Brightwater Engineering (BEL), a subsidiary company of the Brightwater Group Ltd (BGL) located in Nelson, is rapidly gaining a reputation for its ability to provide true inhouse turn-key engineered solutions.

sector, Brightwater has expanded its horizons to include minerals, quarrying, clean-tech energy and industrial services. This approach has positioned Brightwater as a market leader in New Zealand, and with its recent success in Australia, Brightwater is also starting to turn heads across the Tasman.

From project concept, pre-feasibility/feasibility studies, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), detailed design, automation and electrical, manufacture, installation/ construction, commissioning and operation, BEL provides its clientele with single point accountability and total project management control over their entire project.

Brightwater is completing one of New Zealand’s largest open-cast Coal Processing Plants (CHPP) for Solid Energy on the West Coast of the South Island. As head contractor, Brightwater has been involved in all aspects of the NZ $100 million-plus project, from concept through to commissioning. The Stockton CHPP process takes pre-mined and contaminated coals (including stones/shale, old mine props etc), which Solid Energy has stored, and reintroduces it to uncontaminated Run Of Mine (ROM) coal.

Brightwater recognised that increased growth would require diversification into new sectors that shared common synergies with its core capabilities in industrial bulk materials handling. Leveraging from its original foundations, and a long-established history in the “wood industry”

98 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

The contaminated product is initially transferred to a surge-bin which provides the processing plant with a

continuous feed of materials. The CHPP plant separates and cleans the coal then feeds the sized and cleaned product out to one of five product pads ready for distribution. The specialised bulk materials handling technology, specifically developed by BEL, delivers a robust and comprehensive materials handling and transfer system for the Stockton mine. It is this ability to understand the handling of bulk materials that has allowed BEL to diversify and apply these skills into sectors such as aggregates/ quarrying and cement plants. BEL is currently detail-designing, and will soon be manufacturing, the handling systems and integration of specialist crushing and screening equipment for a new “Greenfield” quarry for the Barro Group in Victoria Australia. This will further solidify BEL’s credibility in the aggregate/ quarrying and cement industries throughout Australasia and provide a platform for the company’s continued growth.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 99

What you put in your pet’s bowl can affect their life now – and in the future

Mention this advert this & receive 3 month 0% off first purcha your se

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Call us for a S fre and inform e sample atio Canidae & F n on elidae

Once again voted one of the best pet foods in the world – The Whole Dogfood Journal.

What you feed your pet directly affects how long they live and the quality of their life 11 Reasons why you should feed your pet Canidae all natural pet food 1.

Excellent palatability – “cats and dogs love it”.

Excellent for dogs with allergies or problem skin.

All natural ingredients (chicken, rice, lamb).

Low stool volume (low odour too).

All naturally preserved (Vitamins E & C).

Superior digestibility (natural digestive enzymes).

Premium quality proteins for increased energy.

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Premium oils & fat for a healthy, shiny skin & coat (with balanced Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids).

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To see hundreds of testimonials in full go to our website

“It has been almost a year since I switched and Chynna is doing great” After the recall scare, I decided to switch dog food for then 11 year old terrier mix dog, Chynna. The food she was on was not one of the recall but she has been having bladder infections her entire life, and was overweight despite giving her a food for overweight dogs. After reading about all the stuff that was in other dog foods and all the great reviews for Canidae, I decided to let her try it. It has been almost a year since I switched and Chynna is doing great. She has lost close to five pounds, has a lot of

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. One thing to be thankful for with the food recall, it made me more aware about the nutrition of my dogs. Linda, Houston

“Thank you for making a great pet food” I just wanted to say that I recently switched my two dogs to Canidae All Life Stages and it is wonderful. They are both doing great on it and their coats have never looked better. If I can budget it in I plan to switch our two cats to Felidae

when the bag of food we currently have runs out. I’m sure they will do equally as well on it. Thank you for making a great pet food and saving me, I’m sure, hundreds in future vet bills.

How to order All orders are couriered to your door FREE. If you place your order by 2.00pm most orders are received within 48 hours, unless it’s a rural delivery.

Simply go to our website www.canidae.co.nz or call us toll free on 0800 101 729 and ask for a FREE sample and information pack, or place your order today.

We Offer A No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee

Mention this advert this month & receive 30% off your first purchase. PLUS Call us for a free sample and information on Canidae & Felidae

For more detailed information call on 0800 101 729 Level 3, 818 Colombo St, PO Box 1879, Christchurch. Fax: 03 961 5112 - Email: info@canidae.co.nz - Web: www.canidae.co.nz 100 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Your dog will probably die from cancer

That’s right, over 50% of dogs get cancer. The question you have to ask yourself is why. Is it due to the environmental impact? Is it due to excessive cell phone use? Or could it possibly be due to their diet. 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.

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.

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

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.

er anywhere P.s We deliv 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

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2010 | 101

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!

YES, I will rescue a child today! 1. My monthly gift: $20 per month My Choice of ____________________ a month 2. My details: Title ________ Name _______________________________________ Address

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Please send coupon to: ChildFund New Zealand Freepost 3260, P.O Box 105630, Auckland City, Auckland 1143 Registered Charity Number CC10081 F509

102 | October/November 2010 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Be at the ultimate Corporate Fight Night NovemBer 26th

For more information and to book tables go to www.fightforyouth.co.nz

Enjoy apartment style living in the heart of the prestigious Thorndon quarter at Aitken on Mulgrave. • FREE wireless broadband internet • In room Sky TV • Fully equipped kitchens • Full laundry facilities

• Free gym use at City Fitness • Restaurant chargebacks • Taxi service chargeback • Eco-friendly accommodation

Our friendly and helpful staff can assist with booking local attractions, events and help with local directions.

7 Aitken Street, Thorndon. Wellington, New Zealand tel: +64 4 473 1870 fax: +64 4 473 4014 info@aitkenonmulgrave.co.nz www.aitkenonmulgrave.co.nz