Canterbury Today Magazine Issue#109

Issue 109 | October/November 2011

Ricky May and Monkey King count down to Cup Week and the chance to make history

Check out the Hospitality section featuring:

rant Abalone Thai Restau The Fox and Ferret Carlton Country Club Kelly’s Pantry Moveable Feasts

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 0113-8340

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Next steps

for NZI customers in the residential red zone

We understand you have a lot of information to consider and we are here to help.

A detailed assessment of your home will be completed by NZI project management partner Hawkins

You'll receive details of Government

Options 1 and 2 from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)

You'll also receive your detailed assessment and settlement options from NZI

Your broker will contact you to discuss your settlement options

Choose

Government Option 1 or 2

Government Option 1: Settle with the Government The Government purchase your entire property at the most recent capital value rating valuation (less any land and dwelling insurance payments already made).

The Government take over the EQC land insurance claim, and the dwelling insurance claim with both EQC and NZI. Any offer made under this option may be adjusted if it is determined the house is covered for a fixed sum insured and that amount is less than the rateable value, or the house is insured for a lesser square meterage than its actual size.

or

Government Option 2: Settle with the Government and NZI

NZ5625 SST

The Government purchases your land at the most recent land value rating valuation; or the land settlement amount they reach with EQC, whichever is greater. The Government will also take over the EQC land insurance claim, but you continue to deal with NZI and EQC about your home. If you choose this option, NZI’s contribution would be less any EQC payment and EQC and NZI excesses payable by you.

Please note: This information sheet is a general guide only and is not necessarily complete. We reserve the right to change, update or correct any information from time to time without notice. For a complete description of your cover, refer to your policy wording, policy schedule or any other relevant policy documentation. You can also contact your broker for information in relation to your claim.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 3

Issue 109 | October/N

ovember 2011

key King Ricky May and Mon Week count down to Cup make history and the chance to

t the Check ou y section Hospitalituring: feat

urant Thai Resta Abalone Ferret d an x Fo The untry Club Carlton Co ntry Kelly’s Pa Feasts Moveable

0113-8340 | Solutions | ISSN Transport | Retail ility | Export | | Property | Sustainab Profiles | Finance on | Success | Personalities | Informati s | Interviews | News | Initiative

Canterbury Today

Issue 109

17,116

News

ABC circulation as at 30/06/10

www.canterburytoday.co.nz Head office Academy House 47B Birmingham Drive Middleton PO Box 1879 Christchurch

Business

6 Applied science

• Taking the shake out of quakes

6 Making energy savings pay

24 Celebrating Canterbury

• Funding SMEs to save energy

• Get set for Cup & Show Week… it’s a recipe Cantabrians are sure to embrace as the annual iconic celebration rolls around with Harness Racing New Zealand and Addington Raceway

7 Vamoosing vermin

managing director Gary Collins

• Now is the time to bug-proof your property

General manager Rebecca Harris

8 The grand plan

administration Kylie Moore admin manager Kelly Clarke Kimberley Wells Judy Slater sales & advertising Miranda Hearn Mandy Woods Janet Campbell Grant Williams Peter Allan Melissa Sinclair Annabel Judd James Anderson Robert Cochrane Mogens Petersen George Ziegler Jane Watson Verne Williams Steve Dando

Rebuilding Canterbury

10 Desperate endeavour

• Keith Norton, firefighter and USAR member, faced down destruction in Christchurch and then Japan

sales executives

newsroom Jonathon Taylor Marie Sherry Bridget Gourlay

34 Initiatives

• How the new City Plan aims to bring business back to the CBD

Features 12 Been Seen

• People and faces at all the right places

18 News Special — Business Wellness • Simple tips on how to build a healthy, happy company

20 Events diary

• Events, courses and seminars near you

21 Commerce with conscience

• Sustainable Business Network founder Rachel Brown on doing business with the environment in mind

editor

Viewpoints

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

14 Business Coaching/Economy

production Carolynne Brown assistant CJ McKay designers Ian Knott Kirsty Opie Jarred Shakespeare Sarah Betman

15 Sales

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

17 Technology

• Five ways to cut start up costs • Is our national energy strategy flawed?

• Seven sins of sales management

16 HR/Techno Talk

• Dealing with annoying youth habits • Putting disaster recovery in the hands of experts • Kiss your trackpad goodbye • Does your website create the right impression?

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 2011 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

22 Lifestyles

• The latest MacBook Air, art for your wrist, a top drop and sun-baked destination, handmade decanter and a cover-up that reveals the bogan lurking beneath

23 Cover Story

• Ricky May and Monkey King count down to Cup Week and the chance to make history as Cantabrians get ready for a well deserved celebration

48 Property & Construction

• Signature Homes Canterbury has the market covered, Durasteel offers up structural solutions, while Site Safe takes care of safety factors. Concut is a Canterbury concrete specialist, Flexible Door Technology has automatic entry solutions, Kidson Construction is known for diversity and GT Liddell Contracting has grown in two decades from a Coast entity to a coast-to-coast enterprise

62 Hospitality

• Abalone Thai adds spices, the Fox and Ferret returns to the Palms, the Carlton Country Club combines the best of the old with the new, Kelly’s Pantry is again pleasing patrons and Moveable Feasts delivers fine fare for any occasion

74 Business development

• Shantytown passes the test of time, Maverick Sandblasting gets the right cover, Deep South Ice Cream scoops up awards, Victor Hydraulic Cylinders makes a name for itself and Steelbro’s new sidelifter is a sign this company continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

62 Hospitality

85 Motoring

85 Motoring

92 Agribusiness

• Simple steps to great-tasting fresh fish and two new festivals for summer • Jaguar’s 2012 line up sees the big cat refine its roar

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4 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

• Kaikoura District Council breaks new environmental ground, Kaikoura Seafest 2011 is a gourmand destination, Tip Top turns 75, Vast Interiors Christchurch settles into a new home, Abseil Access excels in tricky positions, and Flax Gifts with Distinction can put together the right package for any occasion

• Kia’s new home at Cockram Motors has been performing double duties • Rural Livestock is expanding throughout the south’s rural sector

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 5

News | Rebuilding Canterbury

Taking the out of quakes

By Bridget Gourlay

One of the deadliest earthquakes of all time occurred in Portugal’s capital in 1755. Believed to be nearly a nine on the Richter scale, the Lisbon earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, killing up to 100,000 people in the surrounding countries it affected.

The Portuguese empire never recovered.

Three hundred years later, and our buildings are made of much stronger stuff, as we’ve witnessed in Christchurch. Other than the collapse of the CTV and PGG Wrightson buildings, most of our modern buildings held up extremely well.

Current building design protects lives via sacrificial damage, protecting the occupants much like cars in a crash. The buildings stay up through earthquakes but later need repair or to be knocked down.

Retro-fit accuators: Concrete and steel connections using lead extrusion dampers directly in the joint to save buildings.

Structures are merely a collection of beams, columns, and structural elements.

Buildings, homes, businesses or hospitals are

simply a whole matrix

of intersections

joining these

not to diminish the 181 who lost their lives here, but it has become extremely small.

“Meanwhile, the actual cost of GDP to a country has stayed the same. Christchurch’s earthquakes will be about 15-25 percent of GDP. We’ve got very good at saving lives. The next step — and it sounds mercenary — is about saving money.”

But just like in 1755, big earthquakes leave extensive damage. Homes can’t be lived in, businesses can’t open, hospitals can’t provide Energy absorbtion critical services, and in Christchurch the entire That’s why Chase and a team of Canterbury CBD has been shut for months. The damage to engineers — Lance Cleeve, Geoff Rodgers, New Zealand’s economy from this event will Greg MacRae and Doug Heaton — have last for years. created a new type of building dissipator.

“Using a high capacity energy dissipating “If you look through time to the Lisbon earthquake there were thousands of deaths,” device (with lead inside) fitted into the joint itself, these dissipators absorb energy with Canterbury University’s Dr Geoff Chase says. every shake, causing almost no damage to “According to a study I read, it cost them the structure. about 20-25 percent of GDP. Today the lives Unlike other damage-free earthquake lost as a percentage of population have gone engineering technologies, these dissipators down to become extremely small. That’s

elements. So an earthquake damaged building equal a whole matrix of these damaged joints. Conversely, damage-free joints equals damage-free structures.

The idea is to use concrete and steel connections using lead extrusion dampers directly in the joint.

only cost between $100 and $400 and can be retro-fitted to existing buildings.

The team believes that with these dissipators, if there is another big earthquake, then people will be able to go back to work quickly afterwards. The devastating affect the earthquakes have had on businesses, especially SMEs, would be minimised.

“Our fathers and grandfathers had some great ideas about how to make buildings life safe,” Greg MacRae says.

“What was done in the 1980s with 80s technology was to make buildings that would stay up during an earthquake and everyone would get out.

“What we’re trying to work towards is a building that is made with 2000s technology that will not only protect life, but mean the structure is useable after an earthquake.

“Think of a cellphone from 1980s — they worked but were clunky and expensive and the batteries needed to be charged all the time,” MacRae says.

Lance Cleeve and Doug Heaton have set up a business selling the dissipators but the team has had a hard time getting the industry to change its thinking, even though their design has held up well to extensive testing. “The words ‘first mover’ and ‘civil engineer’ don’t usually go in the same sentence unless there’s something like ‘are not’ in between. That’s the real problem,” Chase says.

“Design codes have done a lot to increase consistency and improve performance of structures but they’ve now regimented people’s thinking that things can only be done in one way.”

For more information contact lance.cleeve@cmtechnologie.com

Making energy savings pay Operating in an environmentally friendly way has, generally, cost money — but you take the hit because it’s the right thing to do. Well, this might not be so for much longer.

saving measures, with individual businesses’ eligible for up to $30,000. Any company spending less than $300,000 annually on energy per site, could qualify.

A new programme now means Christchurch SMEs can get up to $30,000 towards improving their energy use.

The Council will offer Energising Business grants to members of its Target Sustainability scheme for businesses. The scheme, which has been running for four years, has worked with over 130 companies to assist them reduce waste and costs, and run more efficiently.

The Christchurch City Council has been contracted under the Government’s Energising Business programme to help companies reduce energy use and costs.

EECA chief executive Mike Underhill says a more energy efficient and competitive business sector could benefit the whole Canterbury region.

Run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), Energising Business covers up to a third of the cost of identifying and putting in place energy-

“Energy savings go straight to the bottom line, making businesses more robust, productive and competitive, which is good for the region and for

6 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

the country. Particularly at a time when many Christchurch companies are facing rebuilding, it’s an excellent time to consider energy use and how those savings are locked in — strengthening business for years to come.”

Many significant energy saving measures paid for themselves in a year or less, Underhill says.

Christchurch City Council Water and Waste manager Mark Christison says the initiative is good news. “This funding will help eligible businesses, who we have already been working with through our Target Sustainability initiatives, in their efforts to become more energy efficient.”

To find out more about Christchurch City Council’s Target Sustainability programme visit www.targetsustainability.co.nz

News | Rebuilding Canterbury

Vamoosing vermin Prevention is better than cure.

That’s the message from pest control product manufacturer Kiwicare.

Now that its spring, Kiwicare’s David Brittain says now is the time to act. To cut down on the number of spiders and flies hanging around in summer, people should be ‘proofing’ their homes.

“That’s much easier than having controls which pump insecticide into the house all summer long. This will greatly reduce the number coming in and the earlier you can do it the better.”

Cluster flies are another pest that will make their presence known as spring kicks into gear. Brittain says plenty of people had problems with them in Canterbury this year.

These pests find dark warm places to hide The Christchurch business sells a range of through the winter like roof voids. Once it products that gets rid of pests. “Some people warms up they will be falling out of roofs and get a professional to do this, but it’s quite easy light fittings. Kiwicare’s NO Bugs Bomb will to do it yourself. Spray the walls, windows, get rid of them. doorframes outside and inside your home.

Spiders also breed in spring; and many, especially whitetails, make their nests in roof voids. But good news for arachnophobes — a NO Bugs Bomb will get rid of them as well.

In the garden Kiwicare’s extensive range of garden products are being re-branded, and those searching for the right thing to use will be pleased to see a new section on their website. Everything from handy hints to a Q&A section will be there, to answer everybody’s gardening need. Currently, the comprehensive website gets hits from 20,000 Kiwis a month at its peak.

Again, when it comes to the garden, prevention is better than cure. “Thinking practically about your garden now can save time and effort in the future,” Brittain says.

First up; remove dead leaves. That’s where diseases and insects’ eggs will be. Simply clearing up this material around plants, flowerbeds and raking the lawn will get rid of a lot of problems.

There’s a range of other things people can do in spring to ensure a healthy garden throughout the year. For example, Brittain advises spraying the lawn now for broad leaf weeds. Doing this now gives the grass a chance to grow, not the weeds — “then you’ll have a better looking lawn through summer.” More tips like this can be found on Kiwicare’s website.

a record-breaking warm early winter, rodents didn’t enter as many houses as initially feared.

“To an extent, we got away with it,” Brittain says. “But we certainly still had a busy winter; there were plenty of calls from people around Christchurch, who after speaking to us realised the rodents were getting in through cracks and holes that weren’t there previously.

“Going into spring and summer, I’d say it’s still worth keeping some bait in vulnerable places such as the roof void or garages. That way any rodent issues can be dealt with before you even know they are there.”

In autumn, Kiwicare warned Canterbury Today For more information call (03) 389 0778, that earthquake-damaged houses were easy email sales@kiwicare.co.nz or or visit for cold rodents to get into and make their www.kiwicare.co.nz homes in. Fortunately, because we had such

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 7

News | Rebuilding Canterbury

grand The

plan

By Bridget Gourlay

There’s a silver lining to every cloud. With continuous aftershocks, red-zoned suburbs and a demolished city centre lying eerily bare — Christchurch really needs its silver lining.

The central city draft plan was released in mid August. An expensive wish list from the council, it focuses on creating a ‘city within a garden’ — green spaces, pedestrian-friendly roads, lightrail joining the suburbs to the CBD. Largely, it has been met with delight from the public who look forward to having a thriving city centre once more.

But a city’s heart can’t function without a solid commercial centre. That’s why the plan also includes a number of innovative proposals for the business community.

First, we’re getting our own Silicon Valley.

A high-technology complex called the Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus (EPIC) will be created at the former Para Rubber site from this December. In time it will become home to more than 700 employees working for 40-plus innovative businesses at a newly built campus.

Google’s Christopher Coleman, responsible for building many large Google campuses across the world, and Craig Nevill-Manning, who founded Google’s first remote engineering centre located in midtown Manhattan (now home to 2000 employees), are both prepared to offer free advice for the development of EPIC within Christchurch.

The city plan says “this shared environment will help promote business efficiency, develop

collaborative business opportunities and serve as an example of the quality of business life to be found in the redeveloped Central City.”

While CLTI is operating from Bishopdale temporarily, Edwards says once the city is rebuilt she is keen to move the school back.

“It depends on the cost of the rents. But it does feel more upbeat for the students in the centre of the town.”

SLI Systems CEO Shaun Ryan says the EPIC proposal will be a huge drawcard for Christchurch. “This is a unique opportunity to create a collaborative work environment that will allow our innovative companies to flourish. It will create long term employment and help bring some energy back to the heart of the city.”

Lessons from the past The city plan also wants to turn our knowledge gained of surviving, coping and rebuilding from a disaster into something tangible.

EPIC has numerous property developers and tenants interested in investing in this project. It is hoped this will help Christchurch attract a skilled international workforce and retain local graduates.

An Earthquake Preparedness Institute (called the EPICentre) will be, according to the city plan, “built to the highest seismic and sustainability principles, highlighting Christchurch’s role as a leader in environmental design.”

Education excellence

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There’s also a plan in the city draft for a hub of private education businesses.

Called ‘Campus Central’, the city plan says it proposes a “range of smaller private and public tertiary education providers to co-locate in an integrated, purpose-built campus in the Central City.” A student village accommodation facility is also being proposed.

English language education school CLTI operated in Cashel Mall until the February earthquake. Director Linda Edwards says the proposed education hub and student village will work best if the international students have plenty of opportunity to interact with Kiwis. “They don’t want to be secluded away, they don’t want to be in a ghetto with own nationalities. They want to feel part of a new community, and not be isolated.”

Many international students lost their lives when Kings College, in the CTV building,

8 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

collapsed. Edwards and her students were in the Link Centre when the earthquake hit; the ceiling partially collapsed on them and they waited half an hour, terrified, to be rescued.

However, Edwards says memories do fade.

She points to the areas in South East Asia which were damaged by the tsunami in 2004 — for many international travellers, that disaster does not stop them from visiting.

“It will take time but people will forget. Young people in particular are not so worried. One Korean boy in my class said the other day that earthquakes are exciting. I remember in my 20s I went to San Francisco and I wanted to feel an earthquake — I never had in Britain.

Parents, however, might not want their children to go (to Christchurch).”

The EPI-Centre includes a resource centre related to the built environment, as a point of focus for design professionals to share information and ideas with the public about the rebuild of the city, highlighting the innovative responses developed by architects and landscape architects.

“Enhanced understandings of everything from the performance of infrastructure to the social impacts of earthquakes can be included in this multi-purpose facility,” the city plan says.

The EPI-Centre will showcase local research and best practice which will aim to foster connections between Christchurch and other seismic activity cities of the world.

For more information visit www.cityplan.ccc.govt.nz

Eating fresh food sourced from local producers is the key to being healthy and supporting the local business community.

Canterbury family owned and operated and proud of it, that is the philosophy Raeward Fresh has employed since its humble origins, and it’s what underscores its exciting redevelopment.

Raeward Fresh, today a Christchurch icon, started in the 1980s as a simple shop selling fruit from its orchard on Johns Road.

Its popularity meant it outgrew being a small operation very quickly. Raeward built its flagship site in Harewood Road in 2000.

And for the past 11 years, Raeward has been the place to go for fresh quality food, but its redevelopment takes this a big step further. Since August an extensive deli, the opportunity to buy items such as artisan bread, hot cooked Tegel chickens, fresh seafood daily from well-respected local supplier Theo’s, Vivace coffee beans which you can grind onsite, and a beef dry aging unit and café have been in operation.

“Our point of difference is our commitment to fresh, quality fruit & vege and quality butchery lines that are sensibly priced, origin of product and an obsessive focus on our supply chain underpin our business”, explains Raeward CEO Mike Barnett.

“We understand food production and what it takes to exceed our customers’ expectations, with interests in sheep and beef farms, a stonefruit orchard in Banks Peninsula and in-house butchery units, we have total control over the product that we offer our customers.”

It’s the commitment to quality at every level that sets Raeward Fresh apart. Beef and lamb are selected from top South Island farms. All pork sold at Raeward is sow crate free, from Geraldine.

Carolyn Kayes, the Produce Buyer has direct relationships with growers throughout Canterbury giving Raeward access to the best local produce and total control of quality.

“With a focus on Fresh Food Everyday, it is a farmers market meets your local roadside stall, with a combination of local products, nationwide and international brands, and the freshest butchery and produce items available in the South Island.”

“The café completes our instore retail experience. We were inspired by the US and the UK, where the point of origin of food is becoming increasingly important to the consumer. I believe we’re the only operation on this scale of this kind in New Zealand.

Café Culture Since August, Vivace Espresso coffee and fresh delicious food has been served up at Café Raeward.

Raeward family - This family picture shows the Thomas family, who have been involved in Raeward since it started. It shows Belinda Thomas (Director) , David Thomas (Chairman), Brent Thomas (Managing Director) and their kids Sophie and Mollie Thomas.

The aim is to give customers a better understanding of value for money by knowing and buying what is in season. Everything that you can eat in the Café is available to purchase instore – and the team is more than happy to give customers recipes so they can purchase the ingredients and make the meals at home.

Raeward team – Mike Barnett (CEO) , Belinda Thomas (Director), David Thomas (Chairman) and Brent Thomas (Managing Director).

From grab-and-go meal options to cabinet sandwiches and paninis, salads, pastries and slices, to a full service brunch and lunch menu, all bases are covered.

Café Raeward also has an on-licence so customers can enjoy a wine or a beer from the beverage list with their meal, including an award winning Pinot Noir from our very own grapes grown at Kaituna Valley. Each Friday night, drinks from 4pm – 7.30pm will be hosted with a selection of nibbles available.

The café has a child friendly focus and a great playground, with indoor and outdoor dining areas. All this makes Raeward truly a destination outing – you can buy fresh delicious food for the week, and then relax over a coffee and a meal while the kids play in the fresh air.

Future freshness Mike Barnett sees a bright future for the Raeward redevelopment. In the short term, the company will be working on getting the Harewood Road site running perfectly, but will then roll out the concept into the existing stores in Tower Junction and Nelson. Barnett sees the opportunity for as many as a dozen Raeward stores in the South Island.

“We’re really excited about building this concept; we see it as broadening our base. We’ve always believed good food is not just about price - our emphasis is on eating well. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Although we’re growing, we’ve got no intention of being supermarket. Our business is fresh.”

e

or rewood Road St Raeward Fresh Ha ad 800 Harewood Ro od Harewo T (03) 359 2772 wer Raeward Fresh To t ee Str e nc are 55 Cl Addington T (03) 341 1110

Junction

lson Raeward Fresh Ne hmond Champion Road, Ric d an y Corner Salisbur T (03) 544 0827

esh.co.nz www.raewardfr

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 9

News | Rebuilding Canterbury

Desperate endeavour Memories of the February 22 earthquake weigh heavily on the minds of us all; none more so than those who were there on the day dealing with the disaster. Keith Norton, a firefighter of 36 years and a USAR member for nine, was one of the first on the scene of the CTV site.

A few weeks later he was sent to Japan to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami. He speaks to Bridget Gourlay about his experiences.

Where were you on February 22?

“I was at home, in between night shifts, waiting to take my son and his girlfriend to airport. They were off to the UK for their OE. “I made sure everyone was safe at home and I checked on my neighbors as they’re fairly elderly. Then I thought; ‘well this one’s got a bit of a kick to it’, so I headed to my USAR base. My pager hadn’t gone off at that stage.

I heard a few reports of damage to buildings in town but at this stage I had no idea what I was heading into. “(When I arrived at Woolston) we were told they’d been a partial collapse of a building on Madras and Cashel Street. We loaded some basic rescue gear onto the truck, and I was asked to be a squad leader. When we turned into Cashel Street and got close to the building we saw the monumental task against us. We knew there’d been loss of life.

“The place was alive with people, workers, police officers, on duty fire fighters all endeavouring to do the best they could. We got a call to say there was a possibility there were people trapped and still alive on the west side of the building.

“We went over to that side and managed to burrow into a wee void there and came across a wee Asian girl who was still alive but there were other people there who didn’t make it.

From a combination of fire service and urban search and rescue guys we managed to free her after three-quarters of an hour. She just had superficial injuries.

“The further we burrowed into the building, we could see it was some sort of a classroom with all Asian students. We got the last one out of there alive at about three in the morning. That was a young guy who had to have his leg amputated — a surgeon came from the hospital to do that. His condition was going downhill pretty quick.

“We had very limited space to use and while you’re in there there’s aftershocks going on but you’re so focused on helping people you put it in the back of your mind; you more think about it afterwards. In total we got seven people alive from that wee void.”

I imagine you’ve seen some pretty shocking stuff in your career but was this one of the worst things you’ve seen?

“I spent half the day going through the voids, listening to the equipment, trying to find if anyone alive was there. They hadn’t done a rescue since 10am. We were conscious of the fact there could still be someone there. Our listening gear is very sensitive — we called for all quiet on the site and basically we shut down equipment and truck engines and got complete quietness. It picks up any scratching or hissing or breathing or anything like that.”

But there was nothing?

“Just nothing. The call was made later on in the day there didn’t appear to be any more survivors but you still keep searching; hoping you might come across somebody. It wasn’t meant to be.

“There comes a time when the operation goes from a rescue to a recovery mode. But it’s always in the back of your mind. You “It was the most personally challenging hear stories from overseas where people get thing, yes. I’m a part-time funeral director — miraculously found after ten days like in Haiti. have been for 17 years so I’ve seen all sorts And so you never lose sight of the fact that of people — I can cope with it but you’re you could be lucky and find somebody — but conscious of your team mates and workmates the reality soon kicks in that given the extent that might be struggling with it. It probably of the damage it will be very remote but you hits home more afterwards. You just look after keep focused on that.” each other, that’s the best you can do. Most guys have been coping but then fire service Have you thought about that guys don’t really open up much.”

day often?

At 5.30am Norton was sent home, but couldn’t sleep. He was back at the CTV site by 8.30am. Later that day (February 23), he was assigned to the PGC building.

10 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

“It’s always on your mind. You try to be positive and move on because it was out of your control. Quite often you have wee moments — you see something on TV and brings it all back to you. But it’s what you’ve got to cope with.”

The Japan earthquake and tsunami happened a few weeks later and you went there. What was that like?

“The devastation over there was unbelievable.

Christchurch was bad enough but over there — it just showed you the power of water. It just demolished everything. It was horrifying to look at, just mindboggling.

“There were very few bodies to be found because they got washed out to sea in the receding tide. We got allocated a number of little villages to search and basically we were going through smashed up homes. We only found 2 people (these were bodies). It became very evident there were no survivors.

“Conditions were very cold over there. It got to 17 below zero — snow was everywhere. No one complained though it was bitterly cold.”

■ ■ ■ After Norton got back to New Zealand he had eight days off. Now he’s back at work as a firefighter. He is positive about the city plan and the future of Christchurch.

“Christchurch is lucky really. We’ve got some good people who have put their hand up to offer help — good architects, who have been listening to the public. There will be some neat places in town that people will want to congregate — it’s so important the city gets that city heart again.

“When you look at the big picture Christchurch will look back in 20, 30 years time and say we came through this together and we’ve built a different city and everyone’s had a say in it.”

Economic leader pledges support in wake of exodus Reports of a mass exodus of Christchurch residents to Australia have prompted a pledge of support from a Hamilton economic development leader to quake-recovering business owners.

Opportunity Hamilton chief executive Sandra Perry is reaching out to Christchurch business owners offering her personal support to any who choose to relocate to Hamilton rather than Australia.

“We have been watching and hoping for a fast recovery for quake-stricken businesses and it has become apparent now that recovery in Christchurch will not be possible for all of them.

Therefore we are offering our support to any business wanting a new location and a fresh start in Hamilton,” Sandra said.

Opportunity Hamilton, the city’s economic development agency, joined forces with Hamilton City Council soon after the February quake to produce www.hamiltonchristchurch.co.nz, a website where Hamilton business people offered free practical support to their Christchurch counterparts.

“Hamilton’s business community stepped up and offered all sorts of assistance, from free use of workshops and factories to fulfilling contract obligations. It was quite astounding,” Sandra said.

However, the economic development agency then chose to step back rather than approaching businesses with offers of relocation assistance out of respect.

“Our aim has always been to support Christchurch and the city’s business people and making direct approaches wasn’t right at the time,” she said.

However, recent media reports of thousands of residents leaving Christchurch for Australia has prompted Sandra to become more vocal about her support of Canterbury’s business community.

“It is ideal that businesses recover in Christchurch where possible. If this is not feasible, or if business owners are looking at other options, we would definitely encourage them to look at Hamilton.

We are here to help them do this and support them wherever we can.”

Sandra is inviting Christchurch business owners to share the region’s success by considering how their business plans or aspirations fit within Waikato’s thriving sectors of specialised manufacturing, dairy, aviation, digital, agbio technology and equine.

The region is globally recognised as a leading centre in agricultural industry, with world leading products and innovations originating in Waikato.

Hamilton, at the heart of New Zealand’s growth triangle with Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, is a leader in New Zealand’s economic growth stakes.

The central North Island city is a fantastic place to live, work and play, with an internationally prized dairy sector paving the way for innovative technological excellence.

“Waikato is a great place to do business and that gives us great leverage when we ask those in other regions or countries to consider us when they look to relocate or set up a new branch.

“It is increasingly apparent that Waikato is a growth powerhouse of New Zealand’s economy.”

For further information visit www.opportunityhamilton.co.nz or www.investwaikato.com.

Business owners can contact Sandra directly at sandra@opportunityhamilton.co.nz

September, 2011 Dear Christchurch business owner, Along with the rest of the world, the Hamilton business community is eagerly anticipating a fast and efficient recovery for you.

In the wake of the earthquake Hamilton business owners pledged their support via the website www.hamiltonchristchurch.co.nz with offers of rent-free office space, donated equipment, fulfilling contracts on your behalf and temporarily employing staff while you recover.

As the months have passed it has become apparent that for some Christchurch businesses recovery will be difficult or impossible. Therefore, Hamilton is reaching out again, pledging support to any Christchurch business wanting to relocate to Hamilton.

After all, Waikato is a better choice than Australia!

Located in New Zealand’s growth triangle, Waikato is the fastest growing region in the country behind Auckland.

Hamilton is centrally located, and is a great place to live, work and play. It is also geologically stable.

So if you are ready to make the move, we are right beside you.

Please feel free to contact me personally sandra@opportunityhamilton.co.nz.

We look forward to welcoming and supporting you.

Kind regards, Sandra Perry

Chief Executive Opportunity Hamilton Economic Development Agency for the City

www.opportunityhamilton.co.nz www.hamiltonchristchurch.co.nz www.investwaikato.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 11

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

What Now’s 30th Birthday

Radio Network Ice Hockey

What Now celebrated 30 years in television with a party at Elevate Bar and Restaurant in Cashmere for past and present staff, presenters and friends.

Radio Network sponsored an exciting night of sport when the Canadians were here and demonstrated an impressive array of ice hockey skills at Cowles Stadium.

2 6

10

Carlton Country Club opening night

1 Joshua Pollard,

Jason Gunn, Janine Morrell-Gunn, Rebecca Browning.

The Carlton Country Club has opened for business on the site of the now demolished Carlton Hotel, combining the best of the old with the new. Enjoying the opening hospitality are:

2 Erin Simpson, presenter, and Johnson Raela, roving reporter.

3 Jason Fa’afoi, Andy Gunn and Anthony Samuels.

4 Danny Watson.

5 Rebecca Myers, Olivia

7 Alex Watson, general

6 Emma Turnbull,

8 Geoff Holland, co-owner.

9 Tom Leighs (Pottery

14 Chris Hall, Andrew Britt,

Tim Dyer, Johnny Wilson.

15 Brooke Freeman

(CRFU brand manager), Amanda Carmichael (commercial marketing manager), Greg Cassidy, Megan Keith Mitchell (account manager).

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Richard Mills.

World), Tony Clark (On Air Ads), Geoff Barnett (South City).

(Radio Network sales manager), Stuart Dwight (Radio Network national sponsorship manager).

17 Sarah Butler, Mary

12

Outram, Jay Reeves.

Nikki Withell (Smart Pre-Cast Concrete).

19 Daniel Muggeridge,

Phil Burmester, Sue Burmester, Chris Black (Rydges Hotel).

12 Gregor Fergusson,

Kelly Nicol.

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13

Simon Scarlett (LSDC Building Contractors).

Cargo Bar up and running

13 Chris Hutching (NBR), Dave Hargreaves (BBK Property).

The Cargo Bar is up and running in Lincoln Road, Addinton, as the nightlife scene redefines itself with the opening of the city’s first purpose-built container bar.

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18 Jody Withell,

10 John, Lodge (My Front 9).

11 David Bradford,

1

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16 Glen Kyne

manager, and one of the owners, Penne Small.

Wakem, Johnson Raela.

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20 Girls night out! Luisa

Dacombe-Valentine, Maree Bowden, Liz, Lisa Iliffe, Jodie Wicks and Miranda.

21 Tanya Cross 3

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(Ferrymead United Travel), Chris Kennedy (Harcourts Twiss Keir).

22 Neville Mason,

Di McDonald, Bill Twiss.

23 Marty Meridith,

Timmy Meridith.

24 Junior Opetaia, 4

8

16

5

9

17

12 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

19

20

Michael Bayly.

View these photos and more online at www.canterburytoday.co.nz Harringtons 25th birthday party

Court Theatre fundraiser Carry On Court held a fundraiser at the Aurora Centre for the Court’s new home. Heading the line-up were Ross Gumbley as the MC, Luke Di Somma, George Henare and Paul Barnett.

Harringtons celebrated 25 years of crafting beer with a party for staff and friends at the Ferry Rd brewery.

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manager), Tamara Scott (general manager), Mark White (head brewer).

Theatre), Ali Jones (PR).

26 Gary and Wendy Cockram.

27 Helen Mounsey,

40 Tamara Scott and three 28

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28 Dafydd and

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Harringtons — Carl, John and Val.

St John fashion fundraiser

Allanah James.

29 Georgina Garrett,

Colleen Rasmussen.

30 David and Fiona Cox,

Philip Aldridge (Court Theatre CEO), Lorna Best.

Kathy Munroe.

39 Tony Ford (bottling

25 Steve Brooker ( Court

Neil Andrews (University of Canterbury).

38 Les Halswell,

29

St John held a fundraiser at Elevate Bar and Restaurant, showing the latest fashions from Lavish Clothing and the 32 latest trends in shoes from Love Your Shoes.

31 Luciana Lovridge, Mark Newell of love Your Shoes, Annabel Judd.

32 Emma Fry, Sonia Crighton of Lavish Clothing.

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33 Sarah Wilkinson, St John.

34 Karina Laughton, Lisa Meadows, Gail Dalley (St John).

35 Designers

Alex Rutherford and Amber Hamilton, Miranda Newbury of NZ Home Loans.

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34

Canterbury Runway 2001 Winter Fashion On show at Addington Raceway

36 Jane Wyles, Brigid McLellan.

37 Saskia Hargreaves, Ann Chrissy.

40

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 13

Viewpoints | Business Coaching/Economy

5 ways

to cut start up costs

By Nick Harley

Starting a business can be a daunting task, especially if you have given up your main source of income to start your new venture.

Data from Statistics New Zealand indicates that 53 percent of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail within the first three years. Research suggests that two-thirds of business collapse is due to financial difficulties associated with poor financial management.

Nobody starts a new business believing their business will fail, but it can soon become apparent that the dedication and amount of work involved is more than you bargained for, as well as the increasing costs of actually running the business.

Even if you have an outstanding idea and a killer product, it is almost impossible for you to become a market leader without spending any money. You’ll need advertising and marketing costs, expansion costs, branding, everyday running costs. The list goes on and can quickly spiral out of control.

Here are five cost effective ways to get your business idea off the ground:

Don’t quit your day job until you’re ready Many people fall into this trap. They believe that if they quit their job on Friday, they can start their new business the following Monday. Unfortunatly new businesses take a long time to generate enough income to stay alive, never mind enough for you to also take a wage out of the business.

Make sure you plan your new venture carefully and don’t quit the day job until the business is off the ground. Don’t forget that by starting your new business your everyday costs will actually increase, because you’ll be supporting not only yourself, but the business growth too.

Don’t hire staff If you are looking for a graphic designer to help with branding, a website designer to give you a great website and a marketing company to help get your name out there, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to afford to take

on these people for significant amounts of time. Instead, outsource the work in seperate projects to get the jobs by the right people with the right skills. Don’t try and cover every area yourself, focus on what you are good at and hire the experts to give you a quality business image and save you time and effort and without the hassle of employment red tape.

Exploit social media Everyone has heard of Facebook and Twitter, but do you realise how effective they can be to get your business name out there?

Even though Facebook seems to be losing its edge these days, there is a huge potential

Networking Nobody will use your business or service if they don’t know you exist. Join business start up groups in your area and show your face at local networking events. They are ususally well organised and free to attend. If this really isn’t your thing, start by inviting potential clients for an informal coffee.

Create a business plan and budget Would you go on holiday without planning how you will get there, where you will stay, what you will do and how much you will spend? No? Well, don’t run your business that way. Create a business plan using any of the free templates available online and include as much detail as possible. It should include a financial plan detailing your costs.

Nick Harley is a web enthusiast, entrepreneur and industry commentator.

He specialises in start-ups, first stage growth, social media marketing and more. For more information visit www.zealance.co.nz

Is our energy strategy flawed?

By Bryan Leyland, spokesman for the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition The New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021 announced by the Government ignores recent climate evidence and portends a huge waste of money at a time when the country can least afford it.

31/10/11

audience there that just cannot be ignored.

Twitter is essential for finding people who may have an interest in your business or are in a similar market sector. Maximising the use of these will ramp up awareness of your business venture in no time at all and best of all it won’t cost you a cent.

The target of 90 percent renewable energy is both unrealistic and unnecessary. The huge amounts of money on expensive and largely ineffective new renewable energy technologies cannot succeed in controlling the climate.

agreement that emissions of carbon dioxide have little or no influence on whether the Earth warms, so the burning of fossil fuels will have no measurable effect on our climate.

New Zealand has enough coal and lignite to provide low cost electricity for more than 1000 years, so there is absolutely no need to waste time and money on costly generation methods such as wind turbines and solar panels. Plus, we still have low cost renewable resources such as hydro and geothermal which have not yet been fully exploited.

First, all the major temperature records tell us the world has not warmed for between 10 and 15 years. The climate models that predicted rapid warming over this period, have proved to be wrong.

It is now well accepted that sunspots are declining and that we may be heading for a period when there will be no sunspots. Past history tells us that, when this happens, the world cools quite severely. So the sunspots tell us that the world is likely to cool while the climate modelers ignore the evidence and still predict warming.

Second, more and more independent climate scientists around the world are in

Recent evidence from an experiment carried out at CERN in Geneva, tends to confirm

14 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

previous research that cosmic rays trigger the formation of clouds. A one percent change in cloud cover can account for all the temperature variations we have experienced over the last century. Climate models still cannot model cloud formation accurately.

Given all these uncertainties and the continued failure of the world to warm, the only rational strategy is to put our Emissions Trading Scheme on hold, by zero rating it to remove the costs being imposed on all New Zealanders, but leaving the legislation in place until the rest of the world decides whether such impositions are either effective or justified.

Meantime, our Government should continue to encourage research into all available forms of energy, with special emphasis on those that have a good chance of being economically viable in the near future.

Viewpoints | Sales

Avoiding pitfalls on the success

By John Treace

I have been part of many business turnarounds in my career, and in all situations I have noted the errors consistently made by sales management, all of which negatively impact team morale and sales.

ladder

Here are seven of the deadly sins of sales management: Conflicts with marketing We have all heard of the traditional conflict between sales and marketing.

The sales team says the product is priced too high or not what the customer wants.

Marketing may say the sales force is not well trained, too small, ineffective, or a myriad of other complaints.

Sometimes these are valid complaints, but if they aren’t valid, or are merely excuses for poor performance, it is imperative that management recognise this situation. There is nothing worse than having the sales and marketing departments at each other’s throats; it’s a formula for business failure and management must create collaboration and understanding between the two groups.

Poor people management Powerful investment groups don’t invest in companies; they invest in people.

People are the most important ingredient in any organisation. At the heart of highperformance organisations is management that obtains the willing cooperation of others to achieve its goals. To gain the willing cooperation of others, employees must see that management genuinely cares about them, that they can trust management’s word, and that management focuses on distinction in all aspect of the business.

Not holding people accountable Holding people accountable for their performance is a cornerstone of powerful organisations. This is especially true during trying times, when management is inclined to lighten up on performance standards.

During a downturn, it is better to reduce quota requirements than look the other way on non-performance.

Poor award programmes Award programmes need to be seen as achievable and fair. Reps need to see that the playing field is level and that everyone has a shot at winning recognition. It is amazing how many companies have award programmes that are slanted in favor of a few preferred individuals. This sends a morale-damaging message to all reps, including the favoured ones: that some are valued over others.

Lack of deep understanding of the business Changes to the sales process The sales process includes all the steps and procedures a company puts in place on its way to having the product delivered and invoiced. When the sales process is changed or modified, expect the sales force to need time to adjust. During a period of adjustment to a new process, expect sales to be impacted. When the sales process is changed, all of management should expect sales, as well as sales forecasting, to be affected and in a direct proportion to the degree and type of change, at least for the short term.

Poor metrics Metrics are the numbers that tell us where we have been and where we are headed. They should act as the radar that lets us know well in advance of impending problems. A large number of sales management teams get into trouble due to ineffective metrics—or in extreme cases I’ve seen, no metrics at all. In today’s high-velocity markets, it is imperative to have a solid dashboard of metrics to guide the sales ship and keep it out of trouble.

Failing to know the business at a deep level is one of the surest paths to failure.

When sales are going well, the lack of deep business understanding usually does not appear as a problem, but when business is challenged by sagging sales, it is. These are the times when a thorough understanding of the company’s customers, products and services, and sales process is critical. Without it, sales reps cannot be confident in the course taken by management.

John Treace has 30 years experience as a sales executive in the medical products industry and has spent a decade restructuring the sales departments of struggling companies.

For more information visit www.treaceconsulting.com

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info@boogieheads.co.nz | www.boogieheads.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 15

Viewpoints | HR/Techno Talk

Bad habits to the fore

By Eva-Maria

Day in and day out, more and more youth are coming into the workforce. Half the world’s population is under 25 years old, and the new generation’s work habits — for better or worse —are following them into the workforce.

Bad attitudes, scruffy work clothes, turning up late and showing disregard for the business world are common criticisms levelled at the younger generation.

Sure, that sounds like a generic youth attitude. The youth mind-set is a hard one to understand, but when it comes to it, unless your generation wants to be blamed for the bad habits instilled in today’s youth, it may be good to pay attention to what they react to, and what will help them achieve more in your business.

Many attitudes come down to the parenting young people have received. Do they respect you as an employer and do they respect adults in their lives? Showing up in scruffy clothes raises the question as to whether values about respecting others have been instilled while growing up.

Having asked around, some of the most common problems with youth are coming in with scruffy clothes, bad attitudes and showing up late for work. Why do they do that? They know when their shift starts… do they not own an alarm clock?

If only things were that simple.

When a young person’s shift starts at 9am, they’re likely to show up at 9am on the dot, in scruffy clothes… perhaps that’s how they actually dress. But bad attitudes aren’t kept in check unless someone complains. So tell them!

Explicit instructions

Older generations understand that a 9am start time means coming into work 10 to 15 minutes early, so they’re dressed and ready for work. Well, not in this world — youth will show up when they’re expected, sometimes later. The warning for being late will be obvious, but not when they show up on time then spend 10 minutes getting into ‘work mode’.

What may seem obvious to you about workforce attitudes will be different to today’s youth due to their parenting they received. If you expect to run your business in a particular way, don’t leave it to their common sense to decide what’s right and wrong — tell them.

What’s the way out of it? Tell them what you expect and why — whether it’s about the dress code, attitude or time management.

Come up with a Code of Conduct with all the rules written out so if they come to work ‘on time’ instead of 10 minutes earlier or are wearing a ripped shirt, you can point them back to ‘the rules’, with no ifs or buts about it.

Eva-Maria is a 20-year-old consultant, family coach, international speaker and author of the parenting book ‘You Shut Up!’ She works with groups, corporates and families to improve adult-teenager relationships.

Why disaster recovery is best left to the experts…

By Robin Cockayne of Revera

Disaster recovery — or DR as it is known in business IT circles — involves processes and procedures directing the continuation or recovery of technology infrastructure after a natural or human-induced disaster. Big companies spend huge amounts safeguarding computer systems continuity. However, when disaster strikes, best laid plans are undone in unlikely ways.

Many moons ago Roger Cockayne, the co-founder of New Zealand utility computing infrastructure provider Revera, was IT operations manager of a large pharmaceutical retailer. Asked by his senior manager to establish a DR plan, he spent months testing and documenting systems and procedures.

The response he got when he dutifully presented his work has stayed with Roger and serves as a valuable lesson in human psychology and the folly of poorly planned IT disaster recovery.

Roger explains­: “It was a massive organisation — four mainframes, 3000 computers — and I was in charge of operations. The call came for me to formalise our disaster recovery.

“I’d worked for 10 months, planning and testing till everything that could be ready, was ready. The time came to present my work to my manager. His response left me speechless. He said, ‘Roger, I’m absolutely amazed you bothered’.

“I’d worked like hell on this thing.

Flabbergasted, I asked why. He responded: ‘If the balloon goes up here, I’ll resign. I’m not hanging around,’ he said.”

Moral: Of all the things that can be contracted out, DR should be at the top of the list. Because in the face of disaster you can’t rely on employment law to compel your people to turn up. It is when a business

16 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

is at its most vulnerable that its people are least predictable.

About Revera Founded in 2002 and 100-percent locally owned, Revera is a leading provider of utility computing infrastructure and enterprise data management. From the New Zealandbased interlinked Homeland™ data centres Revera delivers high-integrity computing infrastructure, enterprise storage, and data management services to New Zealand businesses and partners.

Revera Silver Lining DR™ protects client computer systems by maintaining live duplicate applications and data on immediately scalable, bare minimum computing.

Contact Revera by calling 0508 REVERA (0508 738372) or online at www.revera.co.nz Revera has offices and data centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Viewpoints | Techno Talk

trackpad Kiss your goodbye Designed in Christchurch, the Swiftpoint micro mouse boasts that it will “change the way you use your laptop”. Tech guru Ian Knott plugs the Swiftpoint into his 17” Macbook Pro and puts it to the test.

I’m often a little skeptical of products that claim to revolutionise the way we’ve been doing an everyday action quite successfully for years. But Christchurch-based Swiftpoint Limited claims its home-grown, award-winning mouse will do exactly that, and to a point I agree.

The Swiftpoint is designed to be held much like a pen, but it feels much better than that. Let’s be honest, the prospect of holding a pen for extended periods of time has my fingers aching at the very thought of it. The mouse is lighter than many pens and the grip point is thicker, which encourages your hand to be in a very natural, almost handshake-like position.

From there, only a small movement of the fingers, not the whole hand or wrist, is required to perform most tasks onscreen.

Talking wirelessly to a tiny USB receiver, that also doubles as a magnetic docking point, the mouse lasts for 2-4 weeks on a full charge and about an hour off a 30 second ‘RapidCharge’. When transporting your laptop from one room to another, the mouse docks nicely to the receiver, but the connection isn’t strong enough to hold in a laptop bag, so the mouse needs to be stored separately.

There is no ‘off’ switch on the mouse. Long battery life is attributed to a clever feature called ‘SmarTouch’, the mouse only works when your thumb and middle finger grip the sides.

The Swiftpoint has two buttons — the foremost being left-click and the smaller one behind it being the right-click. Just to the right of them is the scroll wheel which can be operated with your index finger or, for faster scrolling, the mouse can be tilted slightly to the right and the wheel can be rolled back and forth on the desk or whatever surface you’re using. The two buttons do have secondary functions for productivity: left-click + scroll is zoom in and out, and right-click + scroll is a faster page scroll.

It took me a good day to get used to moving the Swiftpoint around, but after doing a bit of web surfing, word processing and graphic design I was well and truly sold. Returning to a full sized mouse now feels like moving a house brick around the desk.

By Suzanne Carter

We all know first impressions are created within seconds.

In today’s competitive business environment, creating the right first impression is absolutely vital.

Your potential client has other choices and you want them to choose you, not your competitor.

If the first impression a potential client has of your business is via your website (and this will largely be the case), then you need to make sure your website creates the correct impression of your company and its products/services.

The Swiftpoint comes with an adhesive Parking accessory that covers your trackpad (provided you’re not using the mouse with your desktop computer — in which case any mousepad or desk surface should suffice) and right-hand side of your laptop’s palm rest (sorry southpaws, but the Swiftpoint doesn’t cater for you as yet).

It is surprising how many businesses actually don’t think about their website in terms of it being their online ‘shop front’. Your website needs to encourage visitors to it to stay and purchase a product, make an enquiry, submit a quote and so on. If it doesn’t then they will go elsewhere and that’s not something you want them to do!

This Parking adhesive provides a slightly textured surface for the mouse to work on and protects your palm-rest from wear and tear. The Parking accessory also places a rectangular pad bottom-centre of your trackpad that is magnetised enough to hold the Swiftpoint in place between your hands while you type.

If you are not sure if your website does give out the right messages then just ask friends or family to take a look and give you their honest opinion.

While this all works perfectly well and as expected, I still like to use my Macbook Pro trackpad as it has intuitive multi-finger swipes that are second to none. However the trackpad is far less sensitive with the adhesive Parking accessory over it and I had to give it a decent tap to select items.

Eventually it annoyed me enough to remove the adhesive, cut around the magnetic Parking rectangle and just have that stuck on along with a trimmed 3M MP200PS Precise Adhesive Back Mouse Pad to the right.

Now I’m in laptop heaven with the best of both worlds, the precise control of a mouse and a fully usable trackpad for those times when a mouse just isn’t convenient.

For only $99, the Swiftpoint mouse is well worth picking up for regular laptop users and the fact that you’ll be supporting New Zealand ingenuity is the icing on the cake.

For more information on the Swiftpoint visit www.futuremouse.com Ian Knott has been commentating on various forms of technology for the last 16 years. He’s had columns on gadgets, gaming, computing and digital entertainment in many newspapers, magazines and websites in New Zealand and overseas.

To create a strong initial impact your website design must be attractive, easy on the eye and include strong calls to action. Your logo is also very important so make sure you have a well-designed one and not one that your cousin has put together one evening!

If you have products to showcase then a photo gallery with great imagery is definitely beneficial. On the subject of photos, you should never underestimate the power of photography when it comes to creating a

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first impression with your website. Photos can make or break the aesthetics of a website. Therefore make sure all photos on your website are of a professional quality and accurately reflect your company and its products/services in the best possible light.

Content must be of a high quality, relevant and easy to read. Break it down into small readable paragraphs with bullet points and subheadings. Don’t mix font styles too much and make sure your spelling and grammar is 100 percent (don’t use American English on your site!). A website full of spelling mistakes is not only a bad look but it also makes it hard for anyone to read.

If you sell products online then make sure that your shopping cart is working properly. Errors during the buying process are a turn off and only serve to discourage your customer to continue with their purchase.

Having a website full of advertisements is also not a good look so if you are going to have advertisements make sure they are unobtrusive and do not have prominence over everything else on your site.

Check your site for error messages. The worst possible error message to have is one that says your website is no longer available.

So, remember that you must have a professional looking site as this will instil trust and credibility. A poor website creates a poor first impression and that is not a risk any business can afford to take.

Suzanne Carter is the business development manager for Limelight Online Ltd, a website design and development company. She has more than 15 years website industry experience and with that comes a passion for working with clients to enhance their business through the internet.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 17

News Special | Business Wellness

Happy days

By Bridget Gourlay

“Take our 20 best people away, and I will tell you that Microsoft would become an unimportant company,” Bill Gates once said.

For many businesses it’s no secret what their most valuable asset is — it’s the staff.

No sales would be made, no order filled, no product designed if not for the staff hard at work. But getting the best from your employees sometimes needs a bit of creative thinking.

Bigger corporations could snap up your right-hand man with a higher salary. The demands of home and family could cause your once amazing accountant to get distracted at work or resign altogether to become a full-time parent.

Then there’s the staff that aren’t leaving, but aren’t engaged either. Unmotivated, distracted or ill, these employees cause just as many headaches as retaining and recruiting the best.

So how can businesses get the health tick?

How can they be vibrant friendly places staff work hard at, unswayed by offers of more money somewhere else?

Studies show that overwhelmingly people look for jobs that make them feel happy and satisfied, respectful of the work/life balance.

So firstly, when figuring out how to retain, recruit and keep staff engaged, think outside of the square. In many jobs, work doesn’t just have to be done behind a desk from 9-5.

There are plenty of options for staff to work in different ways as they go through different patterns of life. Here are some examples:

Job-sharing This is when a full-time job is shared by two or three colleagues. Often it happens when two parents are wanting to combine maintaining their careers while raising a young family, or when an older person is in the process of retiring and is handing over responsibility to another younger colleague.

Do: ■ Treat job sharing teams as single employees and reward their collective effectiveness. That way, each partner is likely to hold themselves accountable for the partnership ■ Develop an effective communication programme ■ Define the duties.

Don’t: ■ Go into it without prior thought. How this will work needs to be well-established.

Flexi-hours

Do: ■ Have a clear arrangement so no boundaries get overstepped ■ Communicate how well this is working.

Don’t: ■ Forget about safety. If employees are starting work early or finishing late make sure they will be safe.

Teleworking Teleworking is when a staff member works from home for all or some of the week.

This arrangement is typically for care-givers but could be for anyone — for example, an employee who lives far from the office.

It allows an employee to work the hours which suit them. There are usually arrangements in place, ie the worker must do a required amount of work, or be available for phone calls and emails during business hours.

Teleworking, flexi-time and part-time working or job sharing can be combined. For example, a parent could work two days a week from the office and two days a week from home.

Do: ■ Have a discussed, well-planned arrangement in writing ■ If employees have to be online or able to take phonecalls at certain times (ie 9-3) then make that part of the plan

This can mean a myriad of different things.

It often happens when a worker is juggling care-giving and work, or study and work. They ■ Use teleworking as a cheap form of work a certain number of hours per week childcare. To work fulltime you will need from the office, which could mean starting childcare for some of these hours.

A case study in success — ANZ In 2008, ANZ decided to do something quite radical. It changed its mindset about flexibility, deciding to have the philosophy that flexibility is a business imperative — not special treatment.

It implemented a new programme called MyFlexitime where employees sorted out working arrangements which suited them, depending on their individual sets of circumstances. It covered options such as leave without pay, study leave, armed forces voluntary services leave and sports, cultural and community services leave and applied to every one of the 9000 employees, irrespective of how long they had been with the company.

For example, a mother could return from maternity leave to work one day a week. As her children got older, she could build up her hours and return to full-time when ready.

ANZ won the Work & Life Award at the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust’s (EEO) 2010 award. ANZ says that while flexitime makes staff lives easier and better, it also benefits the company hugely. Since 2007, parental leave return rates have increased — now a staggering 83 percent of employees who return from parental leave stay for more than 12 months, well above the target of 50 percent. The percentage of part-time workers increased from 14 to 24 percent, bucking the general New Zealand trend. Sick leave, absenteeism and turnover all decreased. The average length of staff service is now eight years.

18 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

early and finishing early, or doing some longer hours earlier in the week so they can work shorter hours or have a day off later on.

Don’t:

Paid and unpaid leave This is when a company allows an employee to take leave other than what is legally required. It may be for further study or for a longer holiday/sabbatical. This is usually because the current legislation isn’t enough for what they need. For example, a new father might request two months leave to care for his wife and newborn, but is only legally entitled to two weeks unpaid paternity leave. An employee wanting to complete a qualification might ask to work part-time, or take study leave. Whether or not this leave is paid is completely up to the company. If the new father was a valued member of staff who would be expensive to replace, the company might chose to give him some paid leave. If the employee would be a greater asset to the company once she finished her study, the company might pay her for study leave and qualification.

Do: ■ Talk about how this will work — exactly what work deadlines need to be met while the employee is on leave?

■ Think outside the square in terms of work hours. If it all gets done well, then go with it.

Don’t: ■ Think about the short terms benefits only.

Company loyalty from excellent staff members is a great asset.

News Special | Business Wellness

The

daily

grind

By Bridget Gourlay

Most employees in New Zealand spend their weekdays at work following set hours. How can the office — often a scene of drudgery — become a lively, vibrant, productive place that employees thrive in?

Katie Robinson from workplace wellness company Vitality Works, says it has become abundantly clear that offices are happier places when the staff are healthy. “‘Presenteeism’ is a huge issue,” she says. “That’s being at work, but doing bugger all. It’s actually a lot worse than absenteeism. There is an absolute, clear relationship between how healthy someone is and how productive they are, especially in presenteeism. This is only just being acknowledged — it’s been in research for a long time — but now by employers in the mainstream.”

Encouraging healthy bodies and minds at the workplace can be done in simple ways.

Robinson recommends having accessible staircases; and bike racks and showers so people can cycle, run and walk to work, or exercise during lunchtime.

There could also be a lunchtime office walking group, or the company could sponsor their team to do an event like a 10km run or start an indoor netball team.

At work, offices can hold ‘walking meetings’ where meetings are held as the team walk through the local park.

Food is the other crucial part of good health.

Robinson says businesses should see what is available at the cafeteria or vending machines and make sure there are some healthy options. The same goes for Friday drinks and morning teas — balance out the sausage rolls and cake with carrot sticks and sandwiches.

Robinson says five employees could form a healthy lunch club, where each member makes a healthy delicious lunch for everyone one day of the week. This means each person gets five healthy lunches a week with only a fifth of the effort of preparing it.

Poor mental health is often affected or even caused by poor physical health. Not only does regular exercise and good food lead to fitter bodies, but it reduces stress and depression.

Sitting ducks Increasingly, research is pointing to long periods of sitting as being the cause of a number of health problems.

In many cases, employees drive to work, sit all day and then drive home, with few breaks from sitting. But even healthy people who exercise regularly need a break from sitting.

Robinson advises businesses look into standing tables, where employees can stand at their desks for some of most of the day.

Her husband stands at his desk, and “to begin with he found it hard work but now he has really noticed the difference.”

A content company Of course, there’s more than just exercise and good food involved in making the office a happy place. The basic necessities must be right.

Make sure the lighting enables people to see well without being fluorescent and that the heating and cooling in the building are adequate.

No one can work to the best ability if they can’t see properly or are too cold or too warm — not to mention the potential sick days off when an employee catches a cold, or gets headaches from straining their eyes.

The best workplaces are the ones where staff members come to work looking forward to seeing their friendly colleagues and knowing no one is going to make them feel bad.

It’s hard to work well when your every move is being scrutinised or you are being bullied or discriminated against.

To promote friendliness within the office, ensure bullying is stamped out. This can be hard to find, but the EEO has useful advice in its resources for businesses who are concerned about this issue. For example, it says companies could: ■ Conduct a confidential workplace survey to find out whether harassment/bullying is an issue for employees ■ Document noticeable changes in patterns in performance, turnover or sick days for individuals or groups of staff (such as young women or employees in a particular team) ■ Assess how much time is being spent dealing with employee complaints relating to this issue ■ Find out if the workplace practices comply with the legislation ■ Figure out what procedures are in place to protect employees from harassment/bullying ■ See if there is a clear policy or procedure for victims to make a complaint.

There’s also the basic light relief — Friday night drinks, morning teas and other social activities which allow everyone to have fun together.

Think about it. If the average person works 40 hours a week from age 22 until 65, then that means you spend most of your waking hours at the office. That’s often more time than you spend with family or friends; making one of the keys to a happy life a happy work environment. www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 19

News | Events Diary

Courses, events, tools & tactics… october

5

october

19

If you have to run meetings, this half day seminar is for you. It outlines why meetings fail, the critical elements effective meetings need, and how to chair a meeting and produce quality minutes. To register login at www.nzimsouthern.co.nz

Wednesday

The Disciplinary Process — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce

Failing to follow the correct disciplinary procedures can result in time-consuming and expensive personal grievances, so it’s important to know your stuff. Minimise the risk of successful personal grievances, understand the legal requirements for procedural fairness and what disciplinary action is appropriate.

Cost $170+GST for members, at the Westpac Business Hub. Email maryb@ cecc.org.nz or call (03) 366 5096.

Wednesday

october

Accounting for Non Accountants — New Zealand Institute of Wednesday Management Southern

12

A two-day course where you learn to read a balance sheet, apply ratio analysis for interpretation of data and utilise cash flow data for budgeting. $995+GST for members.

To register, www.nzimsouthern.co.nz october

17

Monday

Practical Day-to-day Credit Management for Beginners — Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce

Covering the basics of credit management in the day-to-day work of accounts receivable. Cost $170+GST for members. Email maryb@cecc.org.nz or call (03) 366 5096.

Managing Effective Meetings — New Zealand Institute of Management Southern

october

27

Governance Essentials — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, Christchurch

Designed for people who serve on a trust, a board of a small company or an incorporated society, or anyone seeking to do so, providing a sound understanding of the basics of governance. The venue is the Christchurch Netball Centre. To book visit www.events.nzica.com

Thursday

october

27

november

14

Gain a common understanding of the various social media channels, an awareness of how best to achieve business objectives through social media, and an initial social media strategy. The venue is the Westpac Business Hub. For more information and booking details email maryb@cecc.org.nz or call (03) 366 5096.

Monday

november

18 Friday

Thursday

november

3

Employer Workshop — Inland Revenue

Improving Accounts Payable — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, Christchurch

november

24

november

22

Business Systems — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountant, Christchurch

A seminar designed to offer information about new business technologies. Gain insight into the systems, products and technology other organisations have adopted to streamline processes and productivity.

The venue is the George Hotel. To book visit www.events.nzica.com

Thursday

november

25

Designed for accounts payable teams and accountants who work with their accounts payable team, this course covers topics like the benefits of a free accounts payable system for your low value transactions, moving towards a paperless AP function, how to streamline payments and more. The venue is the George Hotel. To book visit www.events.nzica.com

The 20th Culverden Christmas Country Fete

Perfect for a day out to forget professional pressure and add country flavour to your life. Enjoy original artworks, furniture, cutting edge jewellery and fashion, craft, socialising, fine food and sunshine. For more information visit www.thefete.co.nz

Social Media — Employers’ Chamber of Commerce

Friday

Financial Evaluation Techniques — New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, Christchurch

Because the accounting model on its own is inappropriate for decisionmaking, this seminar gives accountants who are not experts in finance an overview of the fundamentals. The advantages and disadvantages of alternative tools will be discussed, including topics such as the discounted cash flow model, estimating future cash flows, risk and return, capital asset pricing model and more. The venue is the Christchurch Netball Centre and to book visit www.events.nzica.com

Finance Essentials — Institute of Directors

This course is designed to provide directors with a fundamental understanding of published financial statements and corporate reporting. Participants will receive basic analysis and interpretation tools to allow you to contribute to financial discussions and decision-making confidently. Duration is one day at the Clearwater Resort, costing $785 for members and $940 for non members.

Register online at www.iod.org.nz

Tuesday

Ideal for sole traders, partnerships and small ay sd ur Th businesses, a one-day workshop on completing a mock monthly wage summary for two employees, calculating PAYE and other deductions, and filing employer monthly returns online. Email Advisory.Christchurch@ird.govt.nz

If you would like to feature a business related event in this diary, email newsroom@academy.net.nz at least two months before the date of the event.

Managing risk in a challenging environment During the last few years the ability and willingness for people to pay debts has changed. It is necessary to have systems and processes to support both the extensions of credit and the management of outstandings in your business.

Baycorp’s South Island regional manager Greg Davey says the standard term to settle a business debt is now 46 days — two weeks longer than the standard 30 day term.

“Cash is king and you are competing against others to be paid that elusive dollar. That’s why good credit management is having some rules, guidelines or policies and sticking to them.”

Firstly, Davey says, you must know your customer.

“Establish the people you are dealing with have the correct authority to deal with your business. Obtain background information — if a company, undertake a companies office check to further establish who the directors and shareholders are by using www.companies.govt.nz. “You can also obtain trade references and contacts and obtain permission to undertake and perform a credit check.”

Davey says it is crucial to establish the threshold of where you are comfortable to not have guarantees for limited liability companies — if any. “Where no guarantees will be given, consider seriously the ramification to your business if payment is not received.”

Set some ground rules ■ Establish the way that you will conduct business and what will happen for non payment.

■ Ensure Terms of Trade provide benefits in the collection process including use of PPSR — Personal Property Security Register, charging of interest and on charging of collection agency costs and the legal process. They can cover many other things, including levels of deposit and payment term. It should include how to deal with disputes or issues regarding the product or service supplied.

It can even send its specially trained field agents or do legal action on a client’s behalf. Baycorp’s attitude is not about hounding debtors but about finding a way to make repayments through good communication.

“For every six months you hang onto the debt, the recovery declines by 50 percent,” Davey says. “Just remember from the outset that not every sale is a good sale — you have to be paid! If in doubt upfront, investigate further. If you need assistance in collecting monies owed to your business call us today.”

■ Establish a Credit Policy that sets the rules to follow when people don’t pay and apply it all the time — not just for new customers or people you don’t like.

Davey says businesses must know the following: I will stop credit at ??? days.

I will send a letter at ??? and ??? days.

I will make a phone call at ??? and ??? day(s) If this doesn’t collect the cash I will give it to a collection agency at ??? days overdue.

If your business is suffering because you are not being paid what you are owed, Baycorp is here to help you in any way it can with credit management and debt recovery.

Greg Davey SI Regional Manager T (03) 345 7200 M 027 5592595

Bev Wall Business Manager T (03) 345 7203 M 027 2710583

Baycorp ■ PO Box 1343 Christchurch 8140 ■ T 0800 BAYCORP (0800 229 267) ■ www.baycorp.co.nz 20 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

News | Sustainability

By Bridget Gourlay

They say travel changes you.

That’s certainly true for Sustainable Business Network (SBN) founder and CEO Rachel Brown. As a child, her schoolteacher parents encouraged her to do sediment sampling in local mangrove swamps. The family went sailing around the top of the North Island, admiring its pristine environments.

And she was hugely inspired by her lecturer Jeannette Fitzsimons at university. But on her OE, she saw real poverty and rivers black with pollution. When she returned to New Zealand, she was determined not to let us go down the same path.

The

sustainable

way

Businesses are becoming seriously well informed and are integrating sustainability into their visions and strategies.

What was SBN like in its origins in 2002 compared to today?

They are asking big questions like ‘What are the big social issues that need solving?’ and ‘What is our role in that?’ as well as ‘How do you get to zero waste when infrastructure isn’t supporting that?’ They are interested in unusual collaboration because they recognise the way we have done business in the past is not how we solve these future problems.

“We began in a small office above Ecostore in Auckland. We had only two staff members and we focused on why sustainability was important to business. We had to explain the connection between environmental and social issues and demonstrate the business case for sustainability.

SBN has traditionally been a membership of homegrown, small and medium sized enterprises. The most novel new products or services seem to come from small business – these guys are truly inspiring and we want to encourage more SME’s to join. Our membership fees are based on turnover.

Membership took off between 2006 and 2009. For example, in 2007, membership grew 40 percent. The then Labour Government recognised the trend and the growing demand for better environmental and social performance from key industries like food, tourism and exports so had a number of programmes in place to future-proof our business and economy.

For example, if a small plumbing business wanted to join, annual fees would amount to $300, and the payback could easily be recouped within the first six months if they were actively involved. Through the network the plumber might be introduced to many more efficient methods for capturing rainwater, reducing water usage in homes, and perhaps even meeting new customers interested in having sustainable homes.

They introduced Govt3, a government-wide purchasing policy which asked suppliers to demonstrate their environmental and social commitments prior to winning contracts. As the nation’s biggest spenders this had a huge impact on business. 2008 saw the recession, a change of government, and a shift away from sustainability. When National came to power, SBN, along with a number of other NGOs lost its funding. It’s been a challenging process, one which many businesses and NGOs have had to go through. SBN had to rethink how we operated — we became more commercial and refocused on supporting our membership.

It was a good reminder about what we are really here to do. There’s always a silver lining to change and the loss of Government funding has meant we can focus solely on members rather than reporting to Government.”

Do businesses join purely for environmental reasons, or do they see it as cost-cutting and a marketing tool as well?

“The bulk of those who become SBN members join for business reasons. A smaller percentage, say 10 percent, join purely because of values. Most want support from the Network and to hear from other members about their experiences and the business benefits they have achieved.

I’ve been in this area for a long time now and have seen a lot of change in that time.

Our homes and commercial buildings are very inefficient and our car-focused urban planning means inefficient transport systems burning up more oil and releasing more carbon into the atmosphere. The rebuild is an opportunity to make Christchurch the most sustainable ‘green’ city in the country and potentially the world.

And the greatest environmental challenge facing the world?

We could even go as far as having new buildings which generate power, be located in the right places to encourage active modes of travel, the streets could be designed for people – not for cars. This is a great opportunity to realise urban planning for a future beyond oil.”

Whether humans can adapt to the changes coming our way and recreate how we live, work and play to have a positive impact on natural systems is the greatest test of our time.”

“Definitely climate change. It is the result of how we live, work and commute and it affects everything. Climate change hits us — socially and economically — it also impacts biodiversity and ecological systems.

For more information, visit www.sustainable.org.nz

The networking aspect is very important.

Once known as a ‘green-leaning’ plumber, that might appeal to a larger business member who could employ them to work on a new ‘green’ building project.”

How is a business’ environmental impact different to households?

“It depends on the business type and its size.

Business impact tends to be much greater than households. For many it’s energy and transport, for others it maybe the raw materials they use.

For example, as fuel prices rise, an efficient taxi company would focus on its vehicles using CARCULATE to redesign their fleet into a safe and efficient one. We could encourage them to consider sustainable driving courses so the drivers can learn how to use less fuel. They may look at biofuels or join the Carbon4Good programme to offset their carbon emissions and support local communities with tree planting.”

What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing New Zealand right now?

“Right now I think it is probably rebuilding Christchurch. Hopefully this rebuild can be used as a model for addressing New Zealand’s urban design, energy and water problems.

Renovating or Rebuilding?

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News | Lifestyles 4 U

lifestyles

baubles to best places…

a place in the sun Cuba

top drop Morton Estate’s 2000 Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle First it was chardonnays, then pinot noirs.

Now it seems New Zealand is developing a reputation for sparkling wine. Morton Estate has found sweet success with its 2000 Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle, which recently won a gold medal award in the Spiegelau International Wine Competition. The company uses some of New Zealand’s top winemakers, leading technology and the best traditional winemaking practices to craft a range of wines which are have found international fame.

Heading into summer, this sweet and fizzy sparkling wine serves as the perfect accompaniment to Christmas celebrations and wedding season.

RRP: $30.99 Available: Wine shops and New World supermarkets nationwide

techno flair MacBook Air Never one to be accused of ignoring product development, Apple recently updated its MacBook Air. The new version features next-generation Intel Core processors, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, a backlit keyboard and Mac OS X Lion operating system. It delivers up to two and a half times the performance of the previous generation, has flash storage for instant responsiveness and a truly compact case. It comes in two sizes; an 11 inch (28cm) weighing 1.08 kg and a 13 inch (33cm) weighing 1.35kg — both measure a measly 1.7cm thick.

RRP: From $1549 Available: From retailers nationwide

22 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Cuba could rightly be regarded as one of the world’s great survivors. The tiny island country on the periphery of the United States has forged an enduring national identity because of — and perhaps in spite of — its tumultuous history. Mention Cuba and a melting pot of impressions starts simmering — international uproar, Fidel Castro and Communism, the Bay of Pigs, JFK, salsa, the missile crisis, jazz, classic American cars, Guantanamo Bay, a nearcrippling US-enforced trade embargo.

These days Cuba is a little known but surprisingly great tourist destination. Bathed in the tropical Caribbean climate, it offers heavenly beaches, historic buildings and the opportunity to party all night. Check out the pre-60s cars, throbbing music scene and famous Cuban cigars.

Fly through Canada, Europe, the Caribbean or South America to get there — you can’t go through the US. Check out: www.gocuba.ca

cover stories Hoody gadget cover If this thing isn’t perfect for your iPod or MP3 player, then what is! Sure, hoodies do get a bit of bad press but that’s more to do with the potentially dodgy individual hiding behind the hood. Forget that stereotype; the Hoody iPod cover is here to change public opinion by looking so cute you want to cuddle it.

The covers — suitable for mp3 players, iPods and mobile phones — protect the technology and look pretty damn good at the same time. The Hoody iPod cover is available in grey and fits the iPod classic, iPod touch, iPhone and various other mp3 players and phones.

RRP: $14.50 Available: www.giftbob.co.nz

object of desire Riedel Amadeo Decanter Mouth blown and handmade, this decanter is truly a piece of art. Made by Ridel (the Louis Vuitton of the glassware world) this Amadeo Decanter was free-formed

by Ridel’s most senior master craftsmen and is executed in finest quality lead crystal. The decanter’s handle and spout were carefully crafted to prevent spills and waste.

RRP: $576.00 Available: From www.thestudio.co.nz

wearable art Jean Dunand Palace Watch Paying homage to the industrial art and craft of Paris during at the turn of the last century, the Jean Dunand Palace watch is, quite simply, a masterpiece. Each corner represents the feet of the Eiffel Tower, the sides arch towards the face with the space under the arch being filled with sapphire crystal to allow you to see the inner workings. By any measure it is a big piece, though not as heavy as you might think; the use of titanium and other exotic materials keep it as svelte as possible. The left oval track displays GMT, the right track reveals the status of its 72 hour time reserve and the center displays local time.

As with every Jean Dunand timepiece, each Palace is unique — crafted by hand for the lucky owner.

RRP: US$460,000 Available: Visit www.jeandunand.com

News | Cover Story

Monkey business

November, 1976 — 18-year-old Ricky May secures his first win driving Ruling River, his grandmother’s horse, at Geraldine.

Some 35 years later and all eyes are on the humble Methven farmer as he once again partners with champion pacer Monkey King in the prestigious Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup. The winning duo have won New Zealand’s greatest race for the last two consecutive years, stealing the attention of many and earning millions along the way. The big question now is whether they can claim the coveted crown for a third time.

Katie McKone talks to May in the lead up to the big event at Addington Raceway this November.

button down, and things just went on from there, I suppose.”

The winning partnership between horse and driver began in 2005 at Auckland’s Alexandra Park. “He (Monkey King) went phenomenal when I first drove him — he came from last at quarter peg to take the win,” says May. “He was the favourite for the race but it was just the way he did it that really proved how good he was.”

It was then a case of making the most of somewhat limited opportunities available in the 1970s for a young driver trying to get his foot on the ladder. “It was pretty hard at the start and I was definitely no Dexter Dunn or anything like that. There were just not a lot of races for the junior level back then — not even ten a year. These days that number has increased by about three or four times.”

Monkey King has since become a star in his own right — his stake earnings have surpassed the $3.3 million mark, he was named New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year for 2009-2010, and has joined the likes of Flashing Red as dual winner of the Cup.

Time will tell

With only weeks until the big day, the question is whether Monkey King can rise up to his best and claim victory for the third year running. “It is all looking very promising at this stage. Benny is really pleased with him and all going well he should be in good form come Cup day,” May claims. “He has a big showing this year, and he is a proven two miler with a pretty good record.”

So what is the secret to their success?

“I know him inside and out,” claims May. “He is a funny little horse with his own tricks, and if you look at him he is a pretty ordinary horse to be fair. But he has a big heart and a will to win.”

Monkey King’s performance at the recent August Workouts is a case in point. “He went really well. For his first run back it was really pleasing, and I couldn’t be happier with him, to be honest.” But it all comes down to what happens on the day, adds May. “The horse has got to be geared 100 percent and that has been the case with Monkey King for the last two years — touch wood it is going to be good this year as well.”

The mid-Canterbury based driver is also full of praise for trainer Brendon ‘Benny’ Hill and owner Robert Famularo, who “put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes”.

“Benny trains him incredibly well — it’s really all him.”

May has driven horses to victory in the New Zealand Trotting Cup on five separate occasions, the first being Inky Lord in 1989. This was followed by Iraklis in 1997, Mainland Banner in 2005 and of course Monkey King in 2009 and 2010.

Monkey Kin g has “a big he art and a will to win,” says driver Ricky May.

While any win in this esteemed two-mile harness race is a career highlight, Monkey King has a habit of standing out from the crowd, he says.

“I have had a lot of other great drives, but none have been up to Monkey King’s standard. The Cup is the ultimate race for anyone, and to this day it is still an extreme

Before Monkey King privilege — just to get a drive in the race is a great honour.”

Despite joining the elite 2000-wins club, May claims he “wouldn’t be

human” if not succumbing to pre-race nerves. “I still get a tingle down my spine. When you have over 25,000 people making a racket it definitely makes you hope that everything goes your way.”

Harness racing is very much a family affair for May, who grew up helping his grandfather work the horses at his Methven farm — a 400acre property which has since been handed down to him. However it was not love at first sight, with May only showing a real interest in harness racing later in his teenage years.

“I was more interested in the farming side of things to be honest, and it was my family that really pushed me at the start and gave me the opportunities.

“I remember my Dad telling me you either do it or you don’t — you give 100 percent or nothing. That’s when I decided to make a go of it and I started to work hard and really

May’s status as one of New Zealand’s top reinsmen has been significantly heightened in the wake of his iconic victories with Monkey King. While well aware that there are a number of talented young drivers “trying to kick you off your perch,” this by no means deters him. “I am pretty lucky in that I only have a few aches and pains, with no major injuries. At this stage I plan to just carry on what I am doing, and that 100 percent philosophy still applies.

“When Benny and Robert tell me I am getting too old then I will probably have to rethink things. But when you are driving horses like Monkey King it certainly provides an incentive to keep going.”

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 23

Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week

More than just

a day at the races…

ble for a l i a v a e r Tickets a ch Casino NZ hur c t s i r h C ington e d h t d A t a y th up Da Trotting C y, November 8 , on Tuesda ace at 11.50am. st r with the fir ce Day will taketh a Lindauer R ay, November 11 , rid place on F ngton opening up with Addi nd providing the gates a ission for free adm everyone.

Christchurch is looking forward to one of the major events on its social calendar — Cup and Show Week — following the worst year in the city’s history.

While the September 4 and February 22 earthquakes and continuing run of aftershocks have left parts of Christchurch devastated, Cantabrians are gearing up for all the action, fashion and excitement at Addington Raceway.

Cup Day at Addington is the biggest harness racing meeting in the southern hemisphere and traditionally attracts the very best harness horses from New Zealand and Australia to race in the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup. However, Cup Day is more than just a great race meeting — it is an iconic day for Canterbury where 25,000 people descend upon Addington in their finest racewear to enjoy a fantastic day out.

The event will take on even greater significance in 2011, according to Addington Raceway chief executive Shane Gloury.

“This year’s New Zealand Cup and Show Week is a very important event for Christchurch as the city rebuilds and moves on from the recent tragic events,” he says.

“Cup Week provides Cantabrians with an opportunity to forget about the troubles caused by the earthquakes and get out and enjoy themselves.”

Stand out of action While it is full steam ahead for Cup Day at Addington, this year’s event will be proceeding without the use of the public stand after it suffered extensive structural damage in the February earthquake.

“With the public stand coming down there will be some exciting new developments put in place,” Gloury says.

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Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week

Ticket pr ices

Temporary infrastructure will include marquees, bars, quality food outlets and big screens for all to utilise. “With two grandstands in use, including the main stand, we’re confident we’ll provide a great event come Cup Day,” says Gloury.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says while some visitors from outside of Canterbury may be hesitant to attend Cup Week this year, the same great entertainment and excitement will still be on offer.

“We’re confident this year’s festival will be another fantastic week of family fun. We are in need of a good time here in Christchurch and we’re looking forward to sharing this fun with our visitors.”

Christchurc h Casino NZ Trotting Cu Addington p Day at Raceway:

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 25

Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week

Tracking fashion We all know that come race day what you choose to wear is almost as important as what is happening on the track.

Celebrity fashion stylist Angela Stone discloses some of her tips, tricks and race wear fashion inspiration so you look and feel your best come race day.

Race day is the perfect excuse to dress up, try something a little different and extend your day-to-day style. Angela believes that the best outfits on race day are those that combine essential classic of the season. elements with a subtle nod to current trends attention to the little Remember that true style comes from paying pulled-together and things — the best outfits are those that look thought-out. ing at the complete outfit Judges take this into consideration also, look regardless of age, or size.

Dressed Lady “The Sergio Best Dressed Man, and Lindaur Best the envelope in terms section provides a great opportunity to push a fashionable ‘show pony’ of style,” she says. “So don’t be afraid to be on raceday!”

Top trotting event

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Racing enthusiasts will look forward to seeing the very best trotters from New Zealand and Australia taking centre stage on this day for the country’s most prestigious trotting race, the $200,000 Hellers Dominion, over the true staying test of 3200m.

The very best pacers will also be in action on this day contesting New Zealand’s premium speed race, the $150,000 Woodlands New Zealand Free-For-All, run over 2000m.

Gloury says there are more than 220 accommodation providers currently operating in Christchurch.

To help visitors in the search for suitable accommodation for Cup Week, Addington Raceway has posted a list of providers and their contact details on www.addington.co.nz.

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Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week

A star in the making

“All going well I’ll drive Smiling Shard in this year’s Cup. He was the first Kiwi horse home in the Inter Dominion Grand Final earlier this year and is such a tough wee bugger he will be suited to the gruelling two miles.

Canterbury driver Dexter Dunn is hoping the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup will be his this year at Addington.

At just 22 years of age, Dunn has been the leading driver in New Zealand for the past four seasons. He also holds the all-time New Zealand record for the most number of wins recorded in a season by a driver in this country.

“I’m sure Cran (Dalgety — trainer of Smiling Shard) will give him a thorough preparation and he has to be a great chance. I’m really looking forward to driving him this year.”

Dunn recently took his driving career to the international stage in the United States, where he represented New Zealand in the World Drivers’ Championship. He was placed fourth overall against the very best drivers in the world.

Dunn says he has grown accustomed to the media exposure and loves his job. “I don’t let that stuff worry me.

I just get on and do my job. I’ve got

Dunn’s career started early, with an outstanding racehorse called Master Musician, trained by his father, Robert Dunn, and a pony called Buster Musician, behind which Dexter learned the driving rudiments.

Hopes set on Cup

“Driving is probably in my blood. I’ve been able to do it with ease because it’s the way I’ve been brought up.”

Mainland Banner in 2005 and I’d love to be able to say that I drove a Cup winner. It’ll be a dream come true,” Dunn says.

used to it over the last few years. You just put it to the back of your mind and press on.”

He has also adjusted to the demands of travelling. “It can take a bit of a toll on your body but I’ve got used to it.

“You sometimes have to do longer hours and get less sleep but I’ve managed to adapt to it,” he says.

With red-and-black blood flowing through his veins, Dunn will be working hard to win the Cup this year on his own turf in front of a 25,000 loyal Canterbury crowd.

Feature continues on next page >>

At such a young age, Dunn has swept all before him on the track, although one big race has eluded him so far — the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup at “I’d go to the races and watch Master Musician Addington. He came close to winning in 2009 and I’d travel up to Auckland and other places with Bettor’s Strike, who went down narrowly to two-time Cup winner Monkey King. with my family. I used to sit on dad’s knee and go around the track, thinking it was all “The Cup is the ultimate race in Australia pretty good being behind the bigger horses,” and New Zealand and is the one that I would he says. love to win the most. Dad trained the winner Nicola Stewart | 021 330 939 inwaternz@hotmail.com | www.inwater.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 27

Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week Free family race day fun Lindauer Family Race Day will feature a range of activities and attractions for the whole family at Addington Raceway — and will this year be free to enter.

Lindauer Family Race Day, on Friday November 11, is a family outing where patrons pack a picnic and head to Addington Raceway. Children will be entertained with free rides and face painting, while parents socialise and enjoy the racing action.

Addington Raceway chief executive Shane Gloury says: “The past year has been a challenging time for everyone in Canterbury and one where the entire community has had to stick together.

“So we thought it appropriate this year on Canterbury Anniversary Day to adopt a redand-black theme and to throw the gates open for all patrons.

“It’s one way that we can give something back to the people of Canterbury and let them come out and enjoy a great day with plenty of great entertainment free of charge for the entire family. We want to see a big crowd all dressed up in red and black on this day in support of Canterbury.”

Gloury promises a huge array of activity for the kids and real value for families.

Along with exciting entertainment for everyone, there will be great food and live music to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for the whole family.

Plus, the first 500 children through the gate will also receive complimentary goody bags.

Addington Ra ceway PO Box 9036 Tower Junctio n Christchurch 8 149 T (03)338 90 94 F (03) 338 05 57 E info@addin gton.co.nz www.adding ton.co.nz

Ricky May and Monkey King, all set for this year’s NZ Trotting Cup.

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Three-peat on the cards All eyes will be on Monkey King at this year’s Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup at Addington.

Monkey King could become the first horse in 50 years to win three NZ Trotting Cups in a row. Only two horses have previously done this — Indianapolis (1934 to 1936) and False Step (1958 to 1960).

Monkey King has quickly become an Addington crowd favourite and a horse worthy of respect and awe. He was last year named the New Zealand Harness Racing 2009-2010 Horse of the Year.

The two-time defending NZ Trotting Cup champion is a precious commodity, worthy of

28 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

the finest attention. He is one of the best at what he does with stake earnings of nearly $3 million to prove it.

Monkey King is trained at Kaiapoi by Brendon Hill for Auckland owner Robert Famularo, under his Cavalla Bloodstock Limited banner.

‘Neat package’ Hill says Monkey King is an equine athlete deserving of respect for his feats on the track. ”He’s just a neat little package. He’s not particularly big but he’s got a lovely stride on him. He’s a push-button to drive, like a computer — he just knows what he’s doing.”

Monkey King is driven by Ricky May, who has had five wins in the Cup. May won on

Inky Lord in 1989, Iraklis in 1997, Mainland Banner in 2005 and Monkey King for the past two years.

Last year Monkey King’s time was 4 minutes 0.7 seconds, a mile rate of 2.01, with the last 800m in 56.6 seconds and the last 400m in 28.3 seconds.

There is no doubt everyone will be watching Monkey King as he goes for the third win against the best at the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup this Tuesday, November 8.

But whatever the outcome, patrons are sure to enjoy the glamour, fashion and fun that comes with attending this exciting day at the races.

Celebrating Canterbury | Cup & Show Week

Let the celebrations begin

Harness Racing New Zealand is excited about Cup and Show Week in November and believes it’s just what Christchurch needs.

Marketing and communications manager Andrew Morris says Cup and Show is always a highlight in the garden city’s social calendar, but this year more so than ever.

“I think one of the crucial things that we’re looking forward to is that it’s a chance for Canterbury to get back on its feet,” he says.

“It’s one of the first opportunities after the earthquakes that we’ll have to bring the local community together for a positive reason. It’s a chance to celebrate the impending summer and Christmas.”

recent years. There are a lot of clubs that may have been struggling in the short term, but have got themselves in a secure position in the long term.”

While there are still many challenges within the global economy, Morris says much of the competition in Christchurch for the entertainment dollar has gone, following the earthquakes.

“Harness Racing NZ is an industry leader and Addington is getting itself together.

The potential is there to surpass what the Auckland Trotting Club can do successfully, given the available space,” he says. “Down south agricultural is very strong at the

moment. Southland is a nursery for harness racing and there are a lot of people who own and train horses down there. We find that when agriculture is strong, harness racing tends to strengthen up too.

Hopefully the Rugby World Cup will also bring in opportunities for clubs around the country.”

Harness Racing NZ’s recent AGM saw a number of positives emerge for the industry, including that clubs would be paid more for their race day turnover in the coming season.

The organisation’s education department has been promoting horses and harness racing in schools for the past six years, which Morris says has been great for the industry.

Traditionally, Cup and Show Week signals the start of the party season in Christchurch, which this year is particularly important.

While the public stand at Addington Raceway is being demolished due to earthquake damage, Morris believes it will not have too much of a detrimental effect on the venue during big race days.

“The club is hoping to get a big crowd and they’re sure that everyone will be catered for.

Hopefully it will kick start Canterbury again,” he says.

Harness Racing NZ is working closely with Addington Raceway to lift and enhance Show Day on Friday November 11.

“We want to get Show Day back to something that it was in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Show left the showgrounds about 10 or 12 years ago and that day hasn’t done as well at Addington as it did in the past,” Morris says.

“This year they’re going to throw the doors open and it’s going to be free entry. That’s going to allow the club to make it a real family focus day.”

Harness Racing in New Zealand Morris says harness racing has suffered as a result of the economic recession, just the same as any other industry. However, things are starting to change.

“One thing that’s encouraging is that harness racing has been pretty well managed in

The national programme aims to teach children about how to care for and prepare race horses and includes a range of fun activities for them to undertake.

“In urban areas children are not used to seeing live horses and it helps us break down some of the barriers to racing. We’re not all about gambling. We are a very inclusive, accessible sport that sees all groups prosper alongside each other.”

Harness Racing New Zealand 135 Lincoln Road Christchurch T (03) 964 1200 F (03) 964 1205 E admin@hrnz.co.nz www.hrnz.co.nz

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Southern Cross Cables If knowledge is power, then in today’s business environment the speed at which you can access it is key. And internet speeds will have the capacity to get much faster in the future, thanks to a successful trial on 100 gigabits per second prototype transmission equipment on the Southern Cross twin cable network.

“But the interesting thing is that the price of capacity is the same in both markets. And while Southern Cross is the only operator out of New Zealand, it sets its New Zealand to US prices at levels no higher than its Australia to US prices where there is a competitive market.

This significant technical breakthrough, two years earlier than expected, was demonstrated during extensive testing of the latest 40 Gbps equipment from a number of suppliers in readiness for the next Southern Cross capacity expansion in 2012.

The improvements in transmission systems are at the heart of what Southern Cross aims to achieve. Its ever-increasing capacity has created a network of continually improving quality.

Southern Cross sales and marketing director Ross Pfeffer says “Southern Cross continues to invest and build ahead of demand, to support new innovation and broadband growth”.

Back in 2000, the 28,500 kilometre Southern Cross undersea cable network was constructed. This major regional asset cost a whopping US$1.4 billion, and provides uninterrupted international capacity to the US for broadband internet connectivity from both Australia and New Zealand.

“It is a feature of our network that we can readily replace land based transmission systems with equipment that provides continuing improvements in performance,” Pfeffer says, “Southern Cross currently uses 10 Gbps transmission equipment and its 2012 upgrade, which will be the company’s fifth, is likely to be based on 40 Gbps equipment. This will take the total network potential to at least six Terabits per second - about 25 times higher than the original design capability of just 240 Gbps in 2000.”

“While it is unlikely that we will use the 100 Gbps equipment for next year’s upgrade, it is going to be an option much sooner than we previously thought and the potential size of our network will keep growing in huge leaps,” he says.

“And datacaps have actually gone up substantially as ISPs attract more subscribers, but are rarely used up. In Australia, on average only 15 percent of download entitlement is actually used.”

Future proofed

That’s why the performance of the six fibres and 500 repeaters that make up its twin cables is better today than when the network was constructed more than 10 years ago.

“That allowed us, in 2010, to confidently extend our customers capacity contracts from 2020 to 2025,” Pfeffer says. “I expect that opportunity will arise again in 2015 when there is a strong likelihood that 100 Gbps transmission equipment will already be deployed and the commercial life of the Southern Cross Network will be able to be extended beyond 2025.”

Southern Cross will • Use technological improvements to substantially expand capacity ahead of demand and to lower the cost of supply - Offer prices based on both competitive market forces and the reducing cost of capacity expansions.

• Apply competition based prices equitably to similar markets.

• Enhance the automated protection ability on its dual cable network to ensure that a single cable failure does not interrupt service.

Myth busting Pfeffer says there are a number of myths about the cables he wants to clear up. For example, many people feel there’s a need for another cable, not knowing there are two - one that goes east and another that goes west.

Some say there won’t be enough capacity for internet suppliers – but as this trial shows that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Some feel costs are too high and that Southern Cross is the reason why there are broadband data caps.

“In fact, these are imposed by ISPs. In Australia broadband data caps are much higher, unlimited plans are taking off and the cost of downloading data is lower which is because of the different retails markets in the different countries.

32 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 33

Initiatives | Kaikoura District Council

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Kaikoura has been meeting EarthCheck’s rigorous environmental standards across a range of indicators since 1999, when it first adopted what is now known as the EarthCheck Sustainable Communities Programme. This provided Kaikoura District Council with a framework to reduce the environmental impact of community activities upon the increasingly popular region.

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EarthCheck was chosen as the environmental Kaikoura is the only community in the management system to help Kaikoura world to annually achieve certification since measure, monitor and manage the impacts 2004 and was awarded EarthCheck Gold of the town’s broad-ranging activities certification in June this year. august 2011 in environmental legislation, energy usage, water conservation, wastewater Kaikoura district planner and green team management, biodiversity, and waste Leader Rachel Vaughan says: “As a small reduction. In 2009-2010, Kaikoura reduced community, we are immensely proud to energy consumption to 88.8 GJ per person, have gained such global recognition, which 45.2 percent above EarthCheck’s global means we’ve achieved an outstanding best-practice. During the same period, the performance. To be the first community community reduced waste to 0.15 tonnes in the world to achieve Gold Certification demonstrates clearly that when government, per person; an impressive 57 percent above Hot Price sector and local communities work best-practice. They did this by implementing the private a zero organics to landfill policy and collecting together, $ 99 it is possible to achieve significant each organic household food waste for communal environmental benefits. We’re quite proud of that. We’ve moved forward from a stop off to composting. Since 2001, the township has a world-class destination and we have a lot of reduced waste sent to landfill by 72 percent, other programmes in place that go under that extending the life of its landfill by 10 years. environmental banner.”

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Initiatives | Kaikoura District Council

Green destination Kaikoura District Council has implemented a range of innovative environmental practices that have seen the town grow into an international visitor destination.

Kaikoura’s spectacular scenery and natural beauty attract close to 800,000 visitors annually. Without careful management, the influx of travellers could have an adverse impact on its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Residents shared a common desire to protect nature’s bounty and preserve it for future generations, and so they adopted a developed programme of initiatives to help guide everyday activities.

Kaikoura has gained an EarthCheck Gold Community Certification, meaning the town is a world leader in environmental sustainability.

Kaikoura District Council district planner Rachel Vaughan says Kaikoura has come a long way since the 1980s, when it was in economic decline. “In the 1960s farming and fishing were our principal industries and nationwide, these industries were in economic decline.

Kaikoura was suffering and people were moving out of the area,” she says.

positive environmental practices, in addition to its zero waste to landfill policy.

“In the ‘80s some local fishing families realised that visitors wanted to look at whales and from there the whale watching industry started. It changed Kaikoura from a passing through area, into a destination.”

“Kaikoura has a trees for travellers programme. People can buy a tree, planted on public land. They’re given a GPS location so they can come back, find their tree and track its growth. This initiative helps offset carbon emissions of travelling to Kaikoura.”

However, by the 1990s the council realised that while Kaikoura was receiving some positive benefits from tourism, there were impacts on the environment and community infrastructure from increased visitor numbers, particularly with water and waste management. “The council then went out to the community and said ‘what do we want to do about this? Should we spend a lot of money upgrading these services or should we be looking at other ways of dealing with the problem?’ The community realised that reducing environmental impact was a better way, rather than the continual cost of upgrading services.”

The council and the community began exploring sustainable options and looking at a framework to follow for future development.

Environmental practices In November 2000 Kaikoura adopted the Agenda 21 programme for sustainable management of communities. This is a comprehensive global, national and local plan of action put together by the United Nations that looks at the social, environmental and economic well being of communities.

“We have ongoing programmes to promote issues like water conservation and management. We work with landowners to protect areas that are significant to the district,” she says.

The council has created a number of cycling and walking tracks throughout the district.

“We’ve had a really good response to that,” says Vaughan. “Our latest community survey shows that about 60 percent of people are choosing to cycle instead of taking their car.”

Kaikoura has also recently started a group for businesses which want to improve their sustainability. “Some of those businesses are undergoing an energy and waste audit to look at how they can change their own practices.

We have businesses that operate under different certification as well, and it’s easy for them if they adopt good practices to get thirdparty certification, because they have already adopted those practices anyway.”

As a result of its environmental success, Kaikoura has been selected as one of 13 global destinations featured on a series about sustainable tourism, which will air on Discovery Travel and Living in 2012. The documentary will be broadcast to a potential audience footprint of more than 300 million people over the next five years.

Kaikoura District Council PO Box 6 Vaughan says after adopting the principles Kaikoura 7300 of Agenda 21, the Kaikoura District Council decided to follow the Green Globe framework, T (03) 319 5026 F (03) 319 5308 which was later renamed EarthCheck. The www.kaikoura.govt.nz — Advertising Feature council has since implemented a range of

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Initiatives | Seafest Kaikoura 2011

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Kaikoura Seafest 2011 Charles Wiffen Wines Limited Ph: (03) 319 2826 | Fax: (03) 319 2829 Email: charleswiffenwines@xtra.co.nz

36 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Kaikoura serves up a unique event with Seafest, an annual festival of local wine and food and a celebration of the abundance of the ocean and all it represents for the Kaikoura region.

Kaikoura is renowned not only for whale watching but also for its stunning crayfish or lobster. An impressive variety of products, predominantly from the local Kaikoura, Marlborough and North Canterbury regions, is offered at Kaikoura Seafest and presented in many wonderfully creative ways, all enjoyed with continuous live entertainment throughout the day.

The locals pull out all the stops to make this a day you will not forget. They often dress for the occasion so you might even see mermaids and pirates walking around nibbling on delicacies such as local crayfish and paua (Kaikoura’s abalone).

Kaikoura Seafest is a perfect chance to try out delicious New Zealand crayfish and other kaimoana (seafood) straight from the sea and right in the heart of New Zealand’s crayfish capital. Come and enjoy this harvest celebration with good food, good wine and great Kiwi company — rain, hail or shine.

The town’s annual ‘big top come rain or shine celebration’ is the biggest crowd puller on the local calendar and worth attending especially if you enjoy a challenge! Hard to believe, one of the weekend’s ingredients for success is the potential for fickle weather.

Whatever happens, Seafest is on regardless (that’s where the big top comes in). Seafest is a no cancellation, no refund event — so be prepared — that’s the ticket. Your festival experience is dependent on the elements.

How cool is that? Very cool and with a committed following; the Friday night big bash and the Saturday festival itself are always sold out.

Initiatives | Seafest Kaikoura 2011

Community connections Seafest is owned and operated by the non-profit incorporated society Kaikoura Information and Tourism Inc (KITI), whose main role is to operate the Kaikoura Visitor Centre. During the past 16 years the event has fed thousands of dollars back into the Kaikoura community and brought significant benefits to the region:

classic fare Many seasoned revellers delight in what Mother Nature throws up; she does not disappoint: rain, knee deep mud, sleet and snow or blazing sunshine and blue sky.

The Friday night Big Bash is basically one big party. The 1000 capacity tent will fill with patrons ready to party and dance.

Next day, festival day, the town centre event opens at 10am. People arrive by train, bus and car or walk the short distance from their homes and accommodation to wander the tent-lined perimeter.

The bands play on throughout the day under the big top, ready to shelter from the elements if the heavens do open up.

Food-wise there’s a smorgasbord of flavours — plenty of crayfish, whitebait, paua patties, scallops, oysters, smoked fish, mussels and salmon as well as fish and chips, lamb shanks, venison, steak and sausage butties.

Seafest, with its honest, no frills reputation, is a great day out. Started in 1995, Seafest is held on the first Saturday of October.

The 2011 event is on Saturday, October 1.

Now in its 17th year, Seafest ranks among the top New Zealand festivals, according to the New Zealand Tourism Board which lists it extensively overseas.

It’s a Kaikoura brand builder and contributes much, in an action packed weekend, to the town’s seasonal economy.

Small town Kaikoura delivers the genuine article without showing off year after year.

So for those of you wanting a classic kiwi experience you better get in fast.

Tickets are limited and pre-sold so with only a few left you better be in quick to avoid the disappointment of missing out on this excellent event. Seafest 2011 offers a smorgasbord of fine food, wine, beverages and entertainment.

Seafest 2011 T 0800 4 SEAFEST E info@kaikoura.co.nz www.seafest.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Direct benefits: ■ Donations back to site workers and community clubs working in the lead up to, day of and close of the weekend. Up to 14 different groups such as schools, sports clubs, volunteer services and Lion clubs are utilised each year, with Seafest being one of the main fundraising projects in their yearly scramble for donations ■ Where possible local contractors are utilised and paid ■ Establishment and finance of a major power connection for community use at Takahanga Domain ■ Computer, office and other essential capital item upgrades required to maintain and successfully manage the Kaikoura Information Centre ■ Complete outfit and renovation of the Kaikoura Information Centre 2010 ■ Sponsorship and assistance with the Kaikoura Christmas Parade ■ Water fountain purchase for a local primary school ■ Purchase of Kaikoura township Christmas lights ■ Purchase of Kaikoura township Christmas banners ■ Financial assistance to fund the Esplanade Sculpture by Gabrielle Young ■ Purchase of staging and seating for community use ■ Financial assistance to Ronald MacDonald House

■ Assistance in new product launches ■ Support advertising for the region in joint venture with local tourism operators ■ Donation to Canterbury Earthquake Appeal

Indirect benefits: ■ Seafest is marketed yearround through its website and brochures, taking the Kaikoura brand around the country and internationally ■ Local businesses operate at full capacity at a time when they would not normally achieve this.

One local motelier tells of a family that for the past seven years have booked for the week leading up to Seafest, departing at the end of the Seafest weekend showing that it is not just a one-day wonder ■ Visitors get a glimpse of what Kaikoura has on offer and return at other times ■ Local businesses use Seafest as “the date” where alterations have to be completed by, new product launched by, marketing collateral in place for… a sure sign of the economic impact Seafest has on the community ■ Increased media awareness of the region ■ A 2005 survey shows 68 percent of attendees stay two nights, 12 percent stay more than two nights, 11 percent stay one night and more than $2 million is spent locally.

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fishingcharters@paradise.net.nz | www.kaikourafishing.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 37

Initiatives | Tip Top

Iconic brand Tip Top — the name is representative of the iconic brand’s positioning within the New Zealand food landscape — the tip of the top.

The iconic brand started in 1936 as a Manners Street ice cream parlour in Wellington. Celebrating its 75th birthday this year, Tip Top is the largest independent ice cream business in the southern hemisphere.

In February, Tip Top gave away 50,000 Jelly Tip ice creams at parks and beaches nationwide. The giveaway was the biggest ever seen in New Zealand and took place just days after a Wellington family won $10,000 for scooping up the first golden ticket in the Great Tip Top Ice Cream Hunt.

Tip Top’s oldest novelty ice cream still in production is the Eskimo Pie…

Launched in the 1950s, the Jelly Tip is one of New Zealand’s most popular ice creams, says Tip Top managing director Brett Charlton.

“It’s become a symbol of all things great about Tip Top, great ingredients, great summer memories and the best tasting ice-cream ever.”

The giveaway was in recognition of the loyalty New Zealanders have shown the brand, he says. “We’re proud to be celebrating our 75th year as a fully owned New Zealand company. It’s a real milestone and we wanted to acknowledge the loyalty New Zealanders have shown Tip Top for the past 75 years with free ice cream.

“Most Kiwis would be able to dig out an old baby photo which captures the moment they ate their first ice-cream — it’s a quintessential picture, a Kiwi tradition, and that ice-cream is almost always guaranteed to be a Tip Top ice cream.”

As part of the celebrations throughout this year to mark its 75th birthday, Top Top has touched base with some of the legendary Kiwis they’ve worked with in the past.

The Trumpet commercials were the first big break for international fashion model Rachel Hunter and there’s still nothing she craves more than a Trumpet. “Happy Birthday Tip Top. I can’t believe you’re 75! In Los Angeles, there’s nothing I miss more than a Trumpet,” Rachel Hunter said.

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38 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

20 Fisher Cres, Mt. Wellington, Auckland T: +64 (0) 95741094 • F: +64 (0) 95741099 E: info_nz@festo.com

Initiatives | Tip Top

celebrates 75 years Aucklander Paul Driessen, the foreman on the Tip Top factory floor when the first Jelly Tip left the production line, also turned 75 this year. He wished the company nothing but the best for its three-quarter century milestone.

“We’re the best vintage, Tip Top and I. Happy birthday Tip Top and I hope New Zealanders enjoyed their free Jelly Tip that first came off the line 60 years ago,” he said.

Background of the brand Tip Top is New Zealand’s leading ice cream company and a market leader in all categories. Among its portfolio of brands are Kiwi icons such as Trumpet, Fruju, Jelly Tip, Popsicle and Memphis Meltdown.

Established in Wellington in 1936, Tip Top has been part of Fonterra since the farmer-owned co-operative was formed in 2001.

Drawing on generations of expertise, Tip Top invests significantly in research and development, enabling the company to provide new and exciting products for New Zealanders.

Tip Top 113 Carbine Road Mt Wellington Auckland T 0800 838 181 www.tiptop.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

did you know… ● As part of the celebrations Tip Top brought the classics back. A consumer facebook campaign begging for the return of the grapefruit and lemon Fruju was successful, with it returning for sale.

The company also launched a limited edition Mint Trumpet last summer, manufacturing one for every New Zealander ● Supermodel Rachel Hunter was 15 when she appeared for the first time on television in an advertisement for Tiptop Trumpet in the mid 1980s ● Tip Top produces around 35 million litres of ice cream a year ● Tip Top has a long-standing commitment to using home-grown ingredients like fresh cream and fruit.

For example, products like boysenberry ripple, NZ’s third favourite flavour, are sourced from grower Barry Wratten’s Lower Moutere orchard in Nelson ● New Zealanders consume around four million Jelly Tips annually

a brief history…  In 1936 Albert Hayman and Len Malaghan opened their first ice cream parlour in Manners Street, Wellington  In 1936 a second milk bar opened in Wellington, and another in Dunedin. The same year, Tip Top Ice Cream Company was registered as a manufacturing company.  By 1938 Tip Top was manufacturing its own ice cream and successfully operating stores in the lower half of the North Island, as well as Nelson and Blenheim  In May 1938 Tip Top Ice Cream Company Auckland Limited was incorporated into the growing ice cream business. Due to distribution difficulties and World War II, it operated as a separate company to Wellington Tip Top  In November 1962 Hayman and Malaghan opened the biggest and most technically advanced ice cream factory in the southern hemisphere, at Mt Wellington, Auckland. The factory included staff houses and 20 acres of farm land overlooking the southern motorway and cost NZ$700,000 to build

 In 1964 a parent company was formed, General Foods Corporation (NZ) Limited, which rated as one of the soundest investments on the stock exchange  The Auckland Tip Top factory was originally a seasonal summer enterprise. The success of brands like Topsy, Jelly Tip and FruJu helped transform the Mt Wellington site into a 24-hour year-round operation  As demand grew, two further plants were opened in Christchurch and Perth. Although specially designed to meet stringent Japanese export requirements, the Christchurch factory closed in 2007 and production moved to Auckland

● Tip Top Ice Cream is exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Tahiti, Fiji, the Caribbean, Mauritus, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Norfolk Island ● The three most popular Tip Top flavours are vanilla, cookies and cream, and boysenberry ● The oldest novelty ice cream still in production is the Eskimo Pie

Launched in the 1950s, the Jelly Tip is one of NZ’s most popular ice creams…

 In April 1997 Tip Top was purchased by a West Australian food processor, Peters & Browne’s Foods from Heinz Watties.

The merger of Peters & Browne’s and Tip Top created the largest independent ice cream business in the southern hemisphere with combined sales of $550 million  In June 2001, Tip Top Ice Cream became part of the Fonterra Co-operative Group

Amcor is a global leader in responsible global packaging solutions supplying a broad range of carton board, plastic (rigid & flexible), fibre, metal and glass packaging products to enhance the products consumers use in everyday life.

Amcor Cartons are proud to produce packaging for Tip Top. Halls is proud to be a National Refrigerated Transport provider to

We congratulate Tip Top on their

75th Anniversary

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Celebrating Tip Top’s 75th Birthday! www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 39

Initiatives | Vast Interior

A vastly improved home Finally Christchurch’s Vast Interior furniture and homeware store has a new ‘home sweet home’.

When the devastating Christchurch earthquake struck on February 22, the world watched as city buildings and retail strips crumbled. The CBD was rendered unsafe and homeowners and businesses alike found themselves looking for new premises.

Vast Interior was among the homeless — but not because of the quake. The business remained intact but was forced to vacate its Moorhouse Ave store after a sharp rent increase as others scrabble to find secure commercial retail space.

The locally owned franchise specialising in imported, quality hand-crafted home furniture and exotic homeware spent the next three months trading out of a temporary warehouse.

Owners Nicky and Craig Simpson have now secured new premises. Ten truckloads of furniture later and a makeover inside and out, and Vast’s new store on Blenheim Road, Sockburn, is again delighting fans with soulful and sustainable designs.

Vast Interior is a welcoming destination for passionate home design trendsetters.

When you walk into Vast Interior you go on a furniture safari of discovery, combining sustainable designs with ethnic influences, to deliver world style for your home.

Like many Christchurch businesses, the road to recovery has been a challenging journey for the Vast Interior team. But the trial and tribulations are now behind them and it’s time to embrace what’s on offer.

The new store boasts a fantastic series of beautiful and interesting pieces including huge 12-seater solid hardwood dining tables, vintage leather lounges, ‘found’ original pieces, delicate exotic homewares and interesting artworks.

The good news for the eco-conscious is that Vast Interior embraces environmental design by using natural and sustainable materials as well as vintage and recycled eco materials.

“The majority of Vast Interior’s product lines are made from recycled or renewable resources,” Nicky Simpson says.

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Proud to support Vast Interior Christchurch 40 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

“At Vast Interior we are very conscious about the environment and our choice of timbers reflect this. Recycled timbers are used where possible and many ‘found’ original pieces have been re-fashioned from old doors or shipping vessels.”

The Vast Interior signature dining range is made from solid mango wood, a plantation hardwood harvested from sustainablymanaged forests.

Vast Interior, Christchurch has ample onsite parking and is open seven days a week.

Initiatives | Vast Interior

The

VAST difference

Vast Interior specialises in hand crafted quality timber furniture and inspired cultural homewares.

Created by hand, eye and heart, Vast designs are as beautiful as the environment. Sustainable, renewable and recycled materials are used in 90 percent of signature dining and living ranges. And prices are also as down to earth as the designs and store philosophy.

Not only is all the furniture well made with exclusive product lines, the beauty of Vast is that each store owner has the freedom to travel the world searching for unique pieces for their individual markets.

Store content ranges from Indian artifacts, Chinese inspired antiques, Balinese carved daybeds and pottery to exquisite handmade cushions and textiles from Asia.

Each store is unique with an abundance of furnishings for the home to reflect personal style. Vast stores are not about one look, but about offering infinite variety.

Like any brand, Vast Interior is in business to make a profit but at the same time it strives to make a difference by partnering with suppliers to fund school programmes in the places it sources products from, particularly in the developing world.

Vast Interior Christchurch fast facts ✹ Store owners Craig and Nicky Simpson ✹ Australian-owned, the franchised retailer has been

operating for 12 years, and was established in 1999 in Coffs Harbour, NSW

✹ As direct importers Vast Interior maintains an

ethical business model, choosing to give back to the environment and community

✹ New ranges are constantly being designed and

sourced by the group collectively. Every Vast store prides itself on having a unique flavour, with every store operated by likeminded business owners expressing their own style and design twist, who have the freedom to travel and source pieces for their own markets

✹ Vast Interior has 42 stores in Australia and three in New Zealand (Christchurch, Wellington and Lower Hutt)

✹ Vast Interior’s collection is online at www.

vastinterior.co.nz but the best place to view the wonderful world of Vast is in-store at the new location at 477 Blenheim Rd, Sockburn, Christchurch.

Vast Interior 477 Blenheim Rd Sockburn Christchurch T (03) 343 6112 E christchurch@vastinterior.co.nz www.vastinterior.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Made by hand,eye & heart

Embrace traditional sustainable furniture design that is unique and exclusive to Vast Interior.

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www.vastinterior.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 41

Initiatives | Abseil Access

AB S E IL

access Abseil Access is a New Zealand leader in rope access, bringing specialist engineering, geotechnical and industrial maintenance services to inaccessible locations throughout the country.

sections of highway throughout the country, including the Manawatu Gorge, the Otira Viaduct and Gorge, Nevis Bluff and the Lindis Pass highway. The company has carried out several projects in national parks, including the Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook National Park and access to Westland National Park’s Fox Glacier.

Abseil Access has operated maintenance and inspection programmes at industrial sites since 1992. Clients include Kiwirail, Maritime NZ, Holcim New Zealand, Shell Todd Oil Services, Ravensdown Fertiliser Cooperative, Fonterra, Carter Holt Harvey, TrustPower, Abseil Access was formed in 1992 by DJ Genesis Energy, Contact Energy, New Zealand Matheson and Martin Wilson, both keen Aluminium Smelters, Meridian Energy, Golden climbers and mountaineers. “It’s a combination Bay Cement, and Allied Concrete. of rock climbing and mountaineering expertise Abseil Access’s personnel are trained to coupled with trade skills, applied in an meet the strict hygiene requirements at food industrial setting,” Matheson says. processing sites, and are familiar with Red “I had done this work in the UK, working on Line procedures for food processing plants. offshore rigs, and there wasn’t anybody else The company also designs and installs safety doing this type of industrial abseiling work in systems on structures to ensure safe access.

New Zealand. We started off fresh and have Weed eradication is another area of expertise been working ever since.” particularly in remote mountainous regions, Industrial abseiling — or rope access — is cliffs and gorges rich in rare and vulnerable a safe, practical and cost-effective solution plant species. Abseil Access has developed to many situations and problems that other a range of specialised access and control access systems cannot reach without large techniques to remove weeds. investments of time and money. Rope access systems can be quickly installed and then Projects for specialists dismantled, with minimal disruption to Abseil Access has been involved in building occupants, operational programmes many major projects, including ongoing and the environment. geotechnical work for KiwiRail. It has recently Abseil Access employs a core staff of 12, with completed rock fall protection work at tunnel No.2 on the North Island main trunk line at numbers rising as high as 35 for particular projects. It primarily works in the lower North the base of Ngauranga Gorge.

The Wellington-based company pioneered the use of rope access techniques in this country, in situations from isolated and dangerous natural terrain to some of New Zealand’s largest industrial plants.

Island and throughout the South Island.

Abseil Access undertakes stabilisation work around the Port Hills.

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42 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Abseil Access is a proven expert in applying specialist coatings on hard-to-access installations such as radio towers, lighthouses and radomes. These services include coating inspection, waterblasting, spray application, powertool cleaning, concrete repair and sealant application. Rope-based access is also ideal for undertaking spot corrosion inspections and repair.

Geotechnical work makes up a large part of Abseil Access’s work with the company a specialist in carrying out stabilisation programmes on hazardous and difficult-toaccess sites. It has successfully completed projects on some of the most dangerous

“We’ve got two or three projects on at the moment with KiwiRail,” Matheson says.

“In the Manawatu we’ve been working on something similar there, servicing the Palmerston North-Gisborne line, doing some rock stabilisation work. We’ve also done stabilisation work just south of Kaikoura above the main north line after a huge slip.”

Abseil Access recently erected the All Blacks sign on the hill in Wellington where the controversial Wellywood sign was proposed.

“We were doing geotechnical work there putting the rock anchors in,” says Matheson.

“We were on that for over three months.”

Abseil Access takes a professional and engineering-based approach to each project and has a safety record that is second to none.

Initiatives | Abseil Access

Abseil Access Limited has been heavily involved in stabilising the Port Hills following the February earthquake.

Managing director DJ Matheson says the work to stabilise dangerous rocks loosened by the quake is ongoing and extremely rewarding for the Wellington-based company.

Abseil Access’s works closely with the Port Hills Geotechnic Group to try to stabilise the hills and cliffs. “It’s a pretty massive project and I think we’ll be working there for quite some time, particularly if there’s more shakes,” Matheson says.

“After a big shake we have to go back and look at the same areas. It’s a really good test to see how it performs and the engineers are really pleased. They identified which parts would move in another earthquake and then they did move.”

Abseil Access has been working in the Sumner-Taylors Mistake-Godley Head region since early March. “There’s lots of work to do and we’re just working away at it as best we can. We clear areas and stabilise areas and the engineers check them over and clear them for people to go back into,” says Matheson.

“The rocks are assessed by ourselves and engineers. Sometimes we drill them or blast them. We did one a few months ago that involved blowing up a 40-tonne boulder.

Sometimes we can roll them if there’s nothing below, like the sea, or we can fix them there and anchor them. The other way to treat them is to manoeuvre them to a secure position.

“On larger parts, like cliffs and bluffs, they get assessed and we work out a stabilising solution with the engineers, maybe with some rock fall netting and rock anchors.”

Following the February quake, Abseil Access staff were also working on the historic Timeball Station in Lyttelton. “We were approached by Nikau Contractors to do the work there — they were employed by the Historic Places Trust to demolish it carefully and they needed some rock fall catch fences,” Matheson says. “We installed two and were working on site on June 13, before the two large aftershocks occurred. Luckily we got some smaller warning shakes earlier in the day and the site was cleared because it wasn’t safe enough. Then there was the big 6.3 shake at 2pm and the building collapsed. That finished our work on site but they have since

called us back and asked us to give them a hand doing other work.”

While Abseil Access has had a small number of queries about working in Christchurch’s CBD, it has not been involved in any central city work yet.

Expertise and safety

Abseil Access employs staff with a combination of trade qualifications and experience, including builders, carpenters, engineers and people with geotechnic experience.

Staff are also required to have some height safety training, with Abseil Access instrumental in establishing the NZQA Certificate in Rope Access qualification.

The company takes safety seriously and was a key player in developing and maintaining safety standards within the rope access industry, and in advising on and installing safety systems. It helped establish the New Zealand Industrial Rope Access Standard.

All equipment is coded and load tested specifically for industrial use and undergoes a regular inspection and renewal programme.

Rope access systems are based on those used in the UK and Europe, with an impeccable safety record after hundreds of thousands of logged hours abseiling.

Matheson says the company plans to grow slowly and steadily and is focused on maintaining close working relationships with clients. “We like to concentrate on what we’ve got and our high level of quality service.”

Abseil Access Limited 15 Bute Street Wellington T/F (04) 801 5336 www.abseilaccess.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Abseil Access undertakes stabilisation work around the hills above Sumner.

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 43

Initiatives | Flax Gifts of Distinction

Gifts

for any occasion Flax Gifts of Distinction is owned by Dianne (Di) Gallagher, who purchased the online business 18 months ago after working for 30 years in a corporate environment.

Flax Gifts of Distinction can put together the perfect gift with a range of delicious goodies, hand picked to suit any occasion.

Flax was a well-established Christchurch business with a reputation for beautiful and unique personalised gifts. Gallagher quickly realised it was exactly the kind of business she needed to satisfy her creativity.

Flax caters for any occasion, to any budget and delivers to any destination, whether it be that one-off gift for a special occasion or a large corporate order.

Flax offers the perfect gift for anyone wanting a personal and unique gift for a loved one or business customer this Christmas.

Gallagher can create a fabulous gift incorporating a wide assortment of delectable edible treats — many sourced locally — as well as quality linens and homewares.

boards, wooden platters or in modern black-and-white striped boxes.

She specialises in creating unique hampers, which are beautifully packaged in traditional baskets, on willow trays, wooden chopping

“Flax customers don’t have to choose from a standard range of hampers,” Gallagher says.

“We can create a hamper specially for them.”

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Flax Gifts of Distinction offers a wide range of gift ideas, specialising in high-quality food items and personal products. These include delicious nibbles, dressings, sauces, chutneys, glazes and beverages, linens and homewares, chocolates and sweets, bodycare products and baby products.

Gallagher understands the gifting gesture is loaded with sentiment and the desire to make a lasting impression, and is happy to liaise with her clients about the occasion and recipient of the gift to ensure client expectations are exceeded — right down to the colour of the organza and silk ribbons Flax gifts are finished with.

Corporate and Christmas gifts Flax Gifts of Distinction has a dedicated following including clients who have worked closely with Gallagher on several occasions to create an exclusive gift.

She creates a lot of hampers for birthdays and new babies, and specialises in putting together the perfect corporate gift for a wide range of businesses. “I have a lot of corporate clients and they know they can

get a personalised gift from Flax. I can target the gift for the recipient,” Gallagher says. “I do a lot of work for real estate agents, building and development companies, healthcare providers and other businesses.”

Gallagher appreciates that often clients don’t see the finished gift that is being delivered, and is happy to email images of the gift to clients; who are always delighted with the gift and impressed with the personal service Flax offers.

With Christmas approaching, Flax is expanding its product range to include a variety of beautiful Christmas products, including puddings, Turkish delight and nougat. These gifts will be available for ordering by the end of October and can be packaged in gorgeous traditional packaging, with speciality Christmas ribbons and embellishments.

In addition to Flax’s own website, the company’s gifts and new products can be viewed on the BilllboardMe promotional website, which includes testimonials from happy Flax customers.

In true Cantabrian style, Flax has recently donated gifts to Ray White SI Real Estate Conference in support of Ronald McDonald House, and The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust in support of Ranui House — both based in Christchurch and both truly deserving.

Flax Gifts of Distinction PO Box 27178 Christchurch 8640 T 0274 329 419 E sales@flaxgifts.co.nz www.flaxgifts.co.nz www.billboardme.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Flax gifts are unique and personalised utilising a wide assortment of delectable treats, many sourced locally.

Flax gifts are beautifully presented and ideal for any occasion.

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44 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

As purveyors of artisan styled chutneys, dressings, condiments, curds, and natural lime and lemon juice, our products compliment the delectable wares in Flax Gifts’ baskets.

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o u n r t e looks h t r o N Cantabrians exploring the idea of relocating to the North Island would be well advised to consider the lifestyle offered by Hopper Developments, a New Zealand leader in creating attractive waterway communities.

Hopper Developments has three North Island locations offering complete house and land packages.

Whitianga Waterways

Pauanui Waterways

Marsden Cove

Whitianga Waterways on the beautiful Coromandel Pensinula is Hoppers’ most ambitious and comprehensive canal development.

Hopper Development’s first canal development is Pauanui Waterways. This highly acclaimed development set the standard for quality coastal resort townships. It is situated within the sheltered waters of the Tairua Harbour about 30km south of Whitianga.

A third option for coastal living by Hopper Developments is Marsden Cove, which is less than two hours north of Auckland and is close to the entrance of the picturesque Whangarei Harbour.

Hopper Developments marketing manager Paul Shanahan says Whitianga Waterways may be one of the most attractive options for Cantabrians seeking to relocate, because it is geographically close enough to big cities, such as Hamilton and Auckland, and offers big town amenities without big city pressure.

“Whitianga has a permanent population of around 5000 people, but is steadily growing as people depart the large centres in search of a more relaxed lifestyle and retirement. And the population swells significantly through the summer period through until April.”

Mercury Bay’s beaches, islands, cruising grounds and summer season make this one of the most appealing coastal townships in New Zealand.

Tourism, forestry and fishing are the major business activities. Auckland is a convenient 2.5 hour drive or a 20-minute flight away.

“What we’re adding to Whitianga is a major canal system, where people can choose to live by the water, or the airfield. Those on the airfield can fly in private aircraft and taxi into their own property or hangar. The airfield is also capable of taking quite large commuter aircraft.”

Whitianga Waterways is one of New Zealand’s most attractive, comprehensively planned, ecologically sound coastal communities which, when complete, will involve more than 1500 new households. “With The Warehouse opening next month, Whitianga is being recognised as a well-serviced retail centre. We believe it’s a town with a very big future and great place for people to move to and retire, or establish a business. There are good business premises and commercial land available,” Shanahan says.

Shanahan says while Pauanui Waterways is best known as an up-market holiday home destination, it would also have appeal to people wishing to retire to a smaller, yet prestigious waterfront community.

“Pauanui has a permanent population of only about 1000 people but swells significantly over the summer months. Again it has its own airfield and a choice of first-class public amenities including a beautiful ocean beach, golf courses and tennis courts. It tends to attract more than its share of successful business people from Auckland and the Waikato,” he says.

Pauanui’s boutique town centre is well serviced with a supermarket, cafes, fashion boutique, hair and beauty salons, linen and gift shops, bakery, library, medical centre and information office.

“The big advantage of having a home in any of our waterways projects is that you can moor your boat at home and not have to moor it in a marina, which is a significant advantage in cost and convenience.”

This creatively master-planned township has set the benchmark for marine/coastal development within New Zealand.

At the heart of Marsden Cove is a 230-berth marina, which offers international cruising yachts a NZ Customs port-of-entry facility, as well as a comprehensive range of services ashore.

When completed, Marsden Cove, with its views across the harbour to the distinctive peaks of Mount Manaia, will provide Northland’s most desirable waterfront destination.

“If people were thinking about relocating and boating and fishing are part of their lifestyle, these three developments are the only three of their kind in New Zealand,” Shanahan says.

“Hopper Developments is the only company in producing that kind of development.”

Pauanui is about one and-a-half hours drive from Auckland.

“Hopper Developments has been in the business for more than 50 years and has a first-class reputation for quality in building developments which people know have got strong resale because of the attention to detail and engineering.”

Paul Shanahan, hopper Developments marketing manager

● Started in 1953 and based in Orewa ● Privately owned land-development company involved in property development, housing construction, retirement village development and civil construction ● Best known for creating unique coastal lifestyle developments ● Solid reputation for detailed planning, innovation, quality construction, high amenity value and protection of the natural environment

developments •

19 Tamariki Avenue Orewa sales@hopperproperty.com

• phone (09) 427 0015 • fax (09) 426 8871 • paul@hoppers.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 45

A rotary screen plant designed and built by Able Engineering in Greymouth

Able Engineering can tailor screens to suit all specific mining needs

Going

Able Engineering (2000) Limited in Greymouth is an industry leader in the design, fabrication, construction and maintenance of alluvial gold mining equipment.

for

The company is a fully equipped engineering workshop located in Stillwater, employing seven fulltime staff and many sub contractors.

In addition, Able Engineering undertakes other types of engineering, although most of it is still involved in the mining industry.

Owner Malcolm Robin has been involved in the mining and screen construction industry for more than 30 years and has been involved in operating his own mining operations.

“We do a lot of excavator repair work and heavy truck structural work. We’ve done some work for the coal industry but we mainly concentrate on mining equipment.”

Able Engineering designs and builds rotary gold plants, water pumps and onsite gold processing equipment, and carries out refits and repairs for mining companies. It currently services plants working in Mongolia, Australia, Africa, Otago, Westland and Hokitika.

The company can tailor the screen designs to suit all specific mining needs, which include floating or land based, alluvial (placer), flour or black sand gold. The team at Able Engineering can design and build tables to suit each client’s wash.

“We have up to six different rotary screen models to choose from but we also purpose design screens to suit different types of mining conditions. Specifications for each model can be viewed at www.rotarygoldscreen.com,” Robin says.

“We fabricate the screens at our workshop and then pack them into 40-foot containers for shipping. Once the equipment arrives we then send our team of engineers over to the site and erect the screens and make sure everything is working as it should.”

Able Engineering offers a wide range of alluvial gold mining consultancy services, which save its clients time and money.

This service can range from setting up mining equipment to specialised mining strategies for floating or land-based operations, de-watering, stripping and over burden placement, deep ground mining and rehabilitation work.

International mining market While Able Engineering has always supplied specialist screens to the international market, the company is working hard to grow its export business further.

“We’re targeting export sales because of the price of gold, which is attracting a lot of interest,” says Robin.

Able Engineering has recently been contracted to build screens for mining companies in Columbian and Papa New Guinea, which will be ready for shipping in December.

“We are also in negations with companies in South Africa, Vietnam and Cambodia which are looking at heading into the alluvial gold mining sector. We have a mining division, Yellowstone Mining Limited, which is currently mining fulltime with our own rotary screening plants.”

Able Engineering is currently expanding its workshop, with another large building being added onto the existing one to accommodate the recent gold boom. This expansion will allow the company to take on more orders.

“We’ve been growing and our export orders are coming along quite strong,” Robin says.

“With the current gold, coal and farming boom here on the West coast, the economic future locally is also looking very bright, to say the least.”

Industry leaders New Zealand has a strong history of involvement in the international mining industry and is particularly good at operating and servicing small mining operations, says Robin.

“New Zealand works to lower values than the rest of the world and we’re good at making mobile plants.

Internationally, New Zealand is leading the market in this area and we’ve had to become more efficient. New Zealanders have always been entrepreneurs. Because our environmental standards are so high in this country we have to operate to standards higher than the rest of the world, which has made New Zealand miners more efficient.”

Robin believes Able Engineering is an industry leader in the design and construction of rotary gold screens.

“We’ve been involved in the gold mining industry for 30 years. As well as designing and building rotary gold screens, we are also gold miners. Our rotary gold screens are built by gold miners for gold miners. They are not rock washers - they catch gold. We have spent thousands of hours operating these plants,” he says.

“Every aspect of our screens have been designed and fine tuned. They are built to last and we only use the best material available, which is very strong and easy to clean.”

Able Engineering Limited PO Box 550, Greymouth T (03) 762 5558 | F (762) 5562 E able.engineering@xtra.co.nz www.rotarygoldscreens.com

Able Engineering builds a wide range of alluvial gold mining screens, including this five-foot floating plant.

Able Engineering has 30 years’ experience within the gold mining industry

46 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

The company also builds a range of other mining equipment, such as these pumping units.

Able Engineering Limited Able Engineering Limited is a engineering company who is dedicated solely to producing first class alluvial (placer) rotary gold screening plants and associated gold mining equipment. Our base is in the heart of the gold bearing district in the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand.

Able Engineering Limited

PO Box 556, Greymouth Phone: (03) 762 5558 Fax: (03) 762 5562 Cell: 021 050 3461 Email: able.engineering@xtra.co.nz

www.rotarygoldscreens.com www.canterburytoday.co.nz    October/November 2011 | 47

Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury

Making

Building your own brand spanking new home is a dream come true. And for Cantabrians wanting to realise their new home dreams, the highly skilled team at Signature Homes can make it happen.

Signature Homes Canterbury was established last November by brothers Rhys and Mike Gould, who are passionate about the future of their new business. They joined the Signature Homes team with a mission of covering the Canterbury region, so they could give their clients absolute peace of mind.

They were attracted to the Signature Homes brand because the brand is so highly respected in the New Zealand residential building world.

The company was established in 1983 under the ownership of Fletcher Challenge, with several current members of the organisation involved with the company since its inception.

your new home

with them. No matter what, the Signature team will always work hard to ensure that every new home lives up to the client’s expectations in every way.

In addition, customers benefit from Signature Homes’ group buying power, leading to the highest quality materials at the lowest possible prices. Signature Homes also has an industry leading Guarantee Programme, which backs all work and ensures clients don’t suffer unexpected cost overruns that can take the gloss off their home building project.

The newly formed Canterbury operation of Signature Homes employs nine fulltime staff, as well as a range of highly skilled and qualified subcontractors.

Signature Homes is committed to working with its clients, not only to create the home of their dreams, but also to make their building experience as pleasurable as possible. “Just satisfying our clients’ needs isn’t enough. Our aim is to delight them with every aspect of our service and detail of their new home,” Rhys Gould says.

Choosing to build with Signature Homes offers many advantages, including flexibility. Clients can create their home with the company’s designers, adapt designs from its existing collections or bring their own architect along

Since opening their doors, the Signature Homes Canterbury team has found huge satisfaction in their work. “I absolutely love dealing with new homes,” Mike says. “We get to turn dreams into reality.”

New Lincoln showhome

With its head office and showroom in Russley Road, Signature Homes Canterbury recently opened a brand new showhome at 8 Tauhinu Avenue, Lincoln, which is part of the new Live in Lincoln showhome village.

Rhys Gould says part of the appeal of being involved was the enormous potential for growth in the Lincoln community. “Lincoln is going to be a big deal, it’s a great place and we want to be part of it,” he says.

“We like the development and what it will do for the local community. Ngai Tahu Property has a reputation for the quality of its developments and that is important to us.”

The new Signature Homes showhome is a large single-storey home of 230sq metres with four bedrooms and spacious open plan living. It gives customers the chance to see first hand the high quality of a Signature home. “Our showhome is built to a higher standard than an average house. It’s all about attention to detail and a lot of it is to do with staff taking a bit more ownership of what they do,” Rhys says.

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48 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury

a signature An enjoyable experience

stand-out

“Combining our pride and passion for Signature Homes Canterbury owners Rhys and exceptional craftsmanship with the renowned quality and proven systems and support of Mike Gould both have a long history within Signature Homes is a great opportunity to be the construction industry, with customers better at everything that we do. The result already benefiting from their knowledge. will be an even more rewarding experience The brothers see a close fit between their own for our clients, and some renewed variation high standards and those of Signature Homes. and opportunity for our team to grow.”

They are passionate about building and enjoy creating family homes. “With Signature, we Industry knowledge can build homes that people can be proud Both Rhys and Mike have worked within the of — well built, well designed homes that will building industry for more than 20 years. stand the test of time”, says Rhys.

Rhys has experience in project management Rhys and Mike also feel strongly that the and finance and has previously worked for process of building a home should be a number of large construction companies enjoyable and an experience to cherish. including Fulton Hogan and Downer.

“Life’s there to have fun with,” says Rhys.

Mike is a registered electrician with 24 years “And that’s what we portray to our clients — experience and has owned his own building providing a friendly, relaxed atmosphere that company in the North Island for five years. they enjoy being involved with. We want our “Mike knows the building industry quite clients informed of all aspects of the build intimately. The fact that my brother and I own before they totally commit. We don’t want the business is one of our key strengths,” Rhys any nasty surprises for them. Our company says. “Our suppliers like it that it’s Mike and I. takes the risk away. What we say is going to They like the personal touch and see quite a happen, is going to happen. We put all the bit of depth in the business. Signature Homes cards on the table from the outset.

Canterbury is a family oriented business. We have a good balance of skills and we’ve got a good quality product.”

Signature Homes Canterbury works with several teams of expert local builders, subcontractors and architects. The company is well regarded by suppliers and sub-trades and enjoys an enviable working relationship with the local territorial authorities.

Where possible, Signature Homes uses local contractors and suppliers, but also has the benefit of access to a nationwide network of specialists. Signature Homes chooses its supply partners for their reputation for excellence within their respective fields.

The Christchurch Signature Homes team operates in a strong, supportive environment and offers more than 60 years of combined experience.

“As a team, we are committed to quality and craftsmanship and work hard for our company. We even enjoy the ongoing competitions for the cleanest and most professional sites while we are on the job.

Signature Homes Canterbury can build you the home of your dreams.

Renowned for its high-quality building work, choosing to build with the company offers many advantages.

“But we also have a lot of fun. The company believes in building and fostering excellent teamwork. This is done by having plenty of recreational activities outside of work.

Feature continues on next page >>

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 49

Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury Designs for your lifestyle

Signature Homes can satisfy every aspect of the home building market, offering a complete design-and-build service as well as a wide collection of its own designs.

Signature Homes Canterbury is proud of its ability to build any home clients want, whether the budget is $150,000 or $3.5 million. The company has a long history of building one-off designs specifically tailored to clients’ requirements. These homes have won literally hundreds of building awards over the years, and now this high-quality service is available in Canterbury.

“We offer the design-and-build service to all customers and also have seven collections of plans, which include pre-designed plans,” director Rhys Gould says.

“They are all fully priced and have been built a number of times, which means we know how to build them right. Those plans are available for people to view in our showroom in Russley Road so people can see what they’re getting for their money. Our designand-build service takes more time working with the designer to create the perfect home for each client.”

The pre-designed plans are generally in demand from clients and investment groups with a strict budget. As a result of clever design work and rigorous price negotiations with its suppliers, Signature Homes is able to provide a comprehensive suite of affordable pre-designed plans that offer practical modern design and exceptional value for money.

The Gould brothers, Rhys and Mike, standing outside another successful new home project completed by their company, Signature Homes Canterbury.

“At the moment we’re doing a lot of predesigned plans because people are starting to prepare for when they get payouts for earthquake-damaged homes and can see where they’re at,” says Gould. “Where the market is going to be in the next five years is with modified pre-designed plans. It takes away the unknown in terms of cost.”

Signature collections

All the home collections from the exciting new Signature Collection Book are merely starting points, concepts to stimulate clients’ own ideas for creating the perfect home.

Clients are free to alter rooms, add fixtures and fittings — in fact, have anything they’ve ever wanted in a home. The pre-designed plans offer efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the maximum utilisation of all available space, both in the home itself, and on the section where the home will sit. Where possible plumbing has been centralised, which not only reduces energy-use, but also means less materials are required to install water and wastewater systems.

Signature Homes has a long history of building unique one-off design-and-build homes around the country.

As the floor plan is already in place, along with the general specification (such as the materials and techniques that will be used to build the home), a building proposal can be put together in a shorter period of time, and in many cases the time taken to build the home will be shorter.

Alterations and changes can still be made to the floor plan to suit the owner’s requirements, and often at little extra expense. Claddings, colours, fixtures and fittings can all be selected to suit any taste.

The detailed Signature Homes guarantees apply to all homes built by the company,

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including pre-designed homes. “We provide a fixed completion date and we’re bound to stick by our budgets.

“We strictly enforce the management of that so people know where they’re at. We lock the price and the completion date down — we guarantee that.”

Signature Homes is committed to maintaining its reputation as New Zealand’s premier home builder. Its Quality Management Programme covers every step of the building process — from the day they place a sign on your building site, through to the moment they hand over the keys to your new home.

Every client also has a dedicated project manager, responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly and are always available to the client, providing responsive, friendly and courteous service at every step.

Additional services

Signature Homes operate a specialised knock down and rebuild service, which takes all of the hassle out of removing a home from a site and replacing it with a new one.

Signature Homes has also put together a specialised team of consultants to provide a one-contact solution for anyone wanting to subdivide their property.

The team can help take the difficulty out of this process.

Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury

Signature Homes Canterbury is working hard to repair quakedamaged homes in Christchurch.

Undertaking this work has enabled the company to expand and develop its building skills and expertise.

In the wake of quakes

Signature Homes Canterbury is working hard to repair earthquake-damaged houses and hopes to begin building replacement homes soon.

Director Rhys Gould says Signature Homes has been busy doing assessments and repair work for a major insurance company since its establishment last November.

“There are two sides to our business. One is the new home building and the other is working with one of the insurance companies doing large-scale repairs on projects over $100,000,” he says. “We’re doing assessments and repairs. We’re well under way with them and have done several major contracts so far.”

Gould says while this type of work is not what Signature Homes is traditionally known for, it has enabled the company to expand and develop its building skills and expertise.

“We have a team of qualified and experienced professionals on hand to help you get your damaged home assessed and approved for rebuilding as quickly as possible — whether this is on your existing site, or elsewhere in the region. We will then project manage the rebuild for you, making sure that everything runs smoothly, using Signature Homes’ proven systems and processes and our network of qualified tradespeople.”

Signature Homes has already carried out many assessments on damaged properties, and has a lot of knowledge about the current insurance and earthquake situation in Canterbury. “We understand what it’s like for people to have a damaged home. We’re getting in there and helping them repair damaged homes and that’s now a big part of our business,” says Gould.

“We’ve been involved in some major projects, including lifting a house out at Selwyn. The house had settled out of level and we had to relevel it using a specialised process.

“That’s something quite new for us and we have a team of guys who know how to do

Kees Zandbergen

that work. We’re developing some really good skills in that area and our builders are well educated on techniques relating to foundation repairs.”

Total home rebuilding

Signature Homes Canterbury is also working with Arrow International for AMI Insurance and Hawkins Construction for IAG on undertaking total rebuilds of replacement homes.

The team at Signature Homes will make sure everything possible will be done to get home owners through the design and consenting process and onto rebuilding as quickly as possible.

The company has more than 30 building teams in Canterbury ready now to assist home owners with the rebuild of their home, whether that is on same piece of land, or on a new section.

“We haven’t started that work yet. We’re just waiting on some of the earthquake payouts to come through but we have clients ready to go,” Gould says.

“We’re looking forward to that work but in the meantime these earthquake repair jobs have been great, and we’ve also been attending to quite a number of urgent repair jobs.”

The earthquake work has been instrumental in helping Rhys Gould and his brother Mike grow their new Signature Homes business.

“We started this company from scratch and it’s grown off the back of some of this insurance work, which has enabled us to take on staff and establish relationships with suppliers and subcontractors,” says Gould.

“There are a small number of new homes being built that are not earthquake related and we’re working with several clients closely on that front.

“We’re finalising the planning details and design and it’s looking really positive.”

Feature continues on next page >>

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0800 500 510 | www.apexgeneral.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 51

Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury

The Signature Homes Comprehensive Guarantee Programme

✓ Home Completion Guarantee Your payments to us are 100% secure

✓ 2 Year Maintenance Guarantee Because we stand behind our workmanship

✓ Completion Date Guarantee So you know when you’ll be moving in

✓ Satisfaction Guarantee You will get what you asked us for

✓ 10 Year Structural Guarantee

Your home will stand the test of time

✓ 10 Year Weathertightness Guarantee

Your home will be dry, warm and healthy to live in

✓ No Hidden Extras

No nasty surprises at the end

✓ Total Price Guarantee

We won’t blow your budget

Superior guarantees

Signature Homes offers its own comprehensive range of building guarantees, which the company believes are better than other guarantees available within the market.

The team at Signature Homes recognises the need for its clients to get the best protection for their building project.

Director Rhys Gould says while the Master Build Guarantee was traditionally seen as the benchmark for building guarantees in New Zealand, Signature Homes has opted out in favour of developing its own set of building guarantees.

consulting engineers • heating + ventilation mechanical • structural • hydraulic electrical • acoustic • civil • fire

In the view of Signature Homes, other home building guarantees are limited in what they offer, primarily because of the difficulties in providing cover for the clients of hundreds of independent builders of varying skill, experience and commitment.

the bond (which are held securely by the National Bank of New Zealand) cannot be used for any other purpose other than settling claims in the unlikely event any Signature Homes company is unable to complete a home for any reason.

Signature Homes believed it could offer clients greater protection, simply because it is a closely-managed and controlled network of builders sharing common interests and goals, which are strongly geared towards the protection and enhancement of the Signature Homes brand and its reputation.

As every member of the Signature network has a stake in the bond, this puts responsibility back on the organisation to self-monitor and take responsibility for the performance of its members — something the company feels is a positive attribute.

In 2007 Signature Homes began to look at options to give clients better protection, and also provide the company with a competitive advantage in the marketplace through being able to offer a superior guarantee programme. It was decided the best way to do this was for each member of the Signature Homes network to provide a bond to an independent company, set up solely to manage the guarantee programme.

Unit 3, Amuri Park, Cnr Bealey Ave & Churchill St P.O. Box 25-108, Victoria St, Christchurch 8144, New Zealand This company has no ties to individual (03) phoneChristchurch 8245 | 112 Wrights PO366-1777: Box 37346, Rd, Addington Signature Homes companies. The funds in Art Dept: (03) 379-1626: fax 03 983 5502 | Email: art@waterfordpress.co.nz engineering@pfc.co.nz: email RE: NZ Heavy Haulage ISSUE: BS6010 www.pfc.co.nz: website Association Feature

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Comprehensive guarantees

The Signature Homes Home Completion Guarantee (along with the other seven guarantees that make up its Comprehensive Guarantee Programme) was eventually launched to the New Zealand market in 2008.

The time and attention to detail that went into creating the Comprehensive Guarantee Programme reflects the time and attention to detail that goes into every Signature Homes project. Happy clients and positive recommendations are the outcomes Signature Homes aims to achieve.

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Property and Construction | Signature Homes Canterbury

Focus on detail and quality

Signature Homes Canterbury has a range of highly detailed systems in place to ensure every building job is completed to the highest possible quality and safety standards.

Director Rhys Gould says even though Signature Homes Canterbury is a small company, it is part of the large Signature Homes network, which has comprehensive systems in place.

“It’s all about the way we manage our jobs,” he says. “Part of my background is managing commercial applications through systems.

“Without that we’d only be able to do 20 houses a year, but we can do a lot more than that because we have systems that cope with it.

Out the end of that comes a good quality product. It’s fairly regimented and we don’t

let anything out of the system until we’ve done a good job and it’s been checked.”

This focus on detailed systems also extends to safety. Gould has previously worked for Fulton Hogan and has learnt the importance of having extremely high safety standards.

“We’re on track to be ACC accredited. We back ourselves that we can prevent accidents and prevent our staff from being hurt on the job,” he says. “Our culture is different from other companies in terms of quality and safety.

“I think just those two aspects alone are going to make a difference for us, particularly in Canterbury where you’re dealing with damaged homes. It’s a different kettle of fish to building a new home. The culture we’re developing in that area is a lot higher due to our safety focus. I think the quality of workmanship rises as well because you’re more focused on what you’re doing.”

Growth and success

Signature Homes brand and it’s something to be proud of.”

Rhys Gould and his brother Mike believe their commitment to doing things properly will contribute to the planned growth of their new business.

Signature Homes Canterbury 5/92 Russley Road Russley, Christchurch T (03) 342 7788 F (03) 342 7794 E rem@signature.co.nz www.signaturehomes.co.nz

“It’s step by step, but we have some key team members on board now and for the next three to six months we’re going to continue to focus on building that team, working with clients, developing our relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and developers, making sure we’re getting the right quality materials and developing that subculture,” he says.

— Advertising Feature

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 53

Property and Construction | Durasteel Buildings Direct

Structural steel solutions The quality and strength of Durasteel’s sheds, garages and barns cannot be matched, with the Christchurch-based company able to supply any sized building to meet every requirement.

Durasteel was formed about four years ago and was purchased last year by directors Brent Collins, Polly Collins and Chad Kerkvliet, who are working hard to grow their business and customer base.

Superior strength and quality Durasteel buildings are at the pinnacle of innovation. The company offers a comprehensive range of products and services to ensure its customers’ experience is as seamless as possible.

Durasteel can supply buildings for a wide range of applications, including as garages and carports, residential and rural sheds, American and quaker barns, and commercial and industrial space.

There is no such thing as a “standard size” and Durasteel can design and come up with a building that is unique to every customer.

Durasteel is an authorised distributor of Fair Dinkum buildings, which have been designed for New Zealand conditions to withstand the harshest weather. They come with a 50-year structural warranty (conditions apply), a 15-year cladding warranty and are ShedSafe accredited.

Brent Collins and Chad Kerkvliet say the big difference between Fair Dinkum sheds and other sheds is that the steel used in Fair Dinkum sheds is at least 20 percent thicker.

“We have had many comments that the structure of our buildings is really solid,” Collins says.

Only the heaviest gauge framing is used on all of Durasteel’s metal sheds, with heavy duty .42 gauge roofing and wall cladding. Clear spans and variable widths can be achieved from 3m to 35m, with stud heights from 2.1m to 7m, making them ideal for large industrial or commercial requirements.

■ Two styles of Durasteel barns are on offer — the Quaker and the American.

■ Durasteel sheds can feature clearspans up to 35m, with stud heights up to 7m, making them ideal for commercial or industrial requirements.

A variety of roof pitches are available, with mezzanine floors to one or all bays. Durasteel sheds feature an uncluttered clean interior structure, with roller, sectional, tilta, sliding and bifold door options.

■ Customers can design Durasteel sheds to suit their requirements and can include mezzanine floors.

Fair Dinkum buildings are extremely popular as farm sheds, with a vast range of sizes possible to meet all specifications. Farm sheds are available with numerous options, allowing customers to mix and match open and closed bays with sliding doors and roller doors.

American and quaker barns offer a design style suited to a variety of requirements, including garages, boat sheds, workshops, stables, storage areas and games rooms.

They are also popular for use as a lifestyle or alternative living accommodation.

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Complete design solution One of the big advantages of choosing a Durasteel building is the company’s computer design program, which allows staff to do a virtual build of the shed right in front of the customer, using all of their specifications.

“The customer can see the plans and elevations and can see exactly what they’re going to get. It also engineers the building for the weather and we can also give them a price on the spot,” Kerkvliet says.

Durasteel can supply buildings in kitset form throughout New Zealand, with a free DVD of the build and build manual if required.

While kitsets are easy to erect, Durasteel can provide onsite consultancy at critical stages to

ensure the building goes up without difficulty.

In addition, the company can arrange a subcontractor to erect the building if the customer wants.

“We use a consultant for the building and planning consent side, which we find is a lot faster and, in the end, cheaper for the customer,” Collins says.

In addition, Durasteel holds the services of an onsite concrete company and can offer all aspects of concrete placement. An ongoing service is also available for driveways, patios and pathways, including a large range of decorative finishes.

Collins and Kerkvliet say business has been growing since they purchased the business, with a lot of inquiry coming in after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Durasteel Buildings Direct 72 Durham Street South Sydenham Christchurch 8023 Freephone 0800 DINKUM T (03) 379 6195 F (03) 379 6205 E durasteel@clear.net.nz www.durasteel.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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54 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Property and Construction | Site Safe

Keeping sites safe There is growing interest within the construction industry in improving health and safety systems. Due to this trend, Site Safe has been experiencing what can only be described as exponential growth.

But then that’s hardly surprising, with its growth representative of its industrial importance.

Construction is among the top four sectors for the highest worker injury rates in New Zealand, with fatalities more than double the average for all other sectors. Workplace injuries are costing this country more than $1.3 billion every year.

Launched in 1999, Site Safe’s objective is preventing harm to employees at work in the construction industry. Site Safe applies a collective approach to this issue by trying to build a safety culture amongst its members and the wider industry. It does this through a range of training courses and other services.

An independent, not for profit, industrywide organisation, Site Safe undertakes the research, development and co-ordination of health and safety activities, designed and targeted at the construction industry; activities with the specific aim of reducing construction site injuries and death.

Passport courses It offers a range of sector specific passport courses designed to ensure everyone on a construction site has a basic understanding of the health and safety hazards they are likely to face.

The four-hour passport courses are designed to uplift employee awareness on health and safety issues on the work site and also create a consistent standard for safety practices across the industry. Completion of a passport course has become a mandatory requirement for all employees before being admitted on most commercial sites in New Zealand.

Site Safe also offers a range of one and two-day higher level training courses which target supervisors and senior managers; those who need a more in depth knowledge of construction health and safety. The two-day programme is like nothing else currently on the market.

NZIER examined the extent to which these services have had a measurable effect on injury rates in the industries in which it operates and concluded that Site Safe made a substantial difference to health and safety.

“We were established 12 years ago by the industry for the industry,” Site Safe southern regional manager Richard Giddings explains. “We continue to be governed by

a board of directors who are representative of the industry.”

Site Safe’s products and services identify and apply proven solutions, which help members achieve safe sites. Site Safe provides training qualifications and a continued professional development programme to upskill the industry.

The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 requires employers to prevent harm by systematically identifying and controlling hazards. The act also specifies a hierarchical approach to the control of hazards by The Charter Accreditation Safety Programme elimination, isolation or minimisation qualified also provides an ongoing stepping platform with the phrase “all practical steps”. for companies to attain and exhibit best practice and leadership. Health and safety Another core requirement of the act is clear promotion initiatives such as safety talks, communication up and down the chain of tours, conferences and seminars are also duty between clients, principals, persons in control and contractors in addition to an open provided to membership and all industry. exchange of information between employers Today the organisation takes a behavioural and employees. based approach. “We teach people to take

Advocacy

Achieving a safety culture involves advocacy that creates awareness of injury risks and costs, Giddings says. To achieve this, Site Safe works with stakeholders, including the industry and local and central government.

“While health and safety is a legal requirement for businesses in New Zealand, there’s no one telling us what to do or how to do it. That’s where Site Safe comes in.

We work collectively with our members to achieve site safety. Often people view health and safety as a separate add-on to the business. We teach them how to make health and safety part of the business.”

Site Safe has a national team of safety, health and environmental professionals who provide the assistance of training, consulting, auditing and advice. Regular research and information of health and safety is provided to the membership from head office in Wellington.

personal responsibility and so our training arm has become an important part of what we do.”

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There is also a consulting arm which provides advice, including promoting the popular ‘Tool Box Talks’. Site Safe professionals can come and speak to groups about a specific safety area. “We can even run barbecues on site.”

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Benchmark auditing

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An auditing arm provides auditing services, including what is believed to be a world first, ‘benchmark auditing’. This involves an auditing service which looks at an organisation’s systems, site specific safety plan, study behaviour on site and then compare all those to the industry average.

• Under pinning

“What is significant about this method, is that we compare apples to apples; so we compare the health and safety of projects which are at the same stage of completion and projects

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which have a similar value. “Our whole purpose is to lift the health and safety game of the construction industry in New Zealand, so that people can go home safely at the end of the day.”

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 55

Property and Construction | Concut

Cutting, shaping, deconstructing concrete Concut in Christchurch offers a complete concrete cutting, drilling, breaking and removal service and can undertake any sized job available. The company is the South Island’s largest concrete cutting and drilling service provider.

Concut was formed by Ron Duff in 1970 and was purchased by his son Steve Duff in 1983.

cutting, drilling, breaking and removal, as well excavation, auger holes, general cartage and as concrete grinding and polishing. shingle supplies.

Steve Duff grew the family business considerably and today heads a team of 45 staff, who offer an unmatched range of concrete cutting services, expert advice and solutions to clients in the building, construction, demolition and home renovation industry. Concut is a specialist at concrete

Concrete services Concut can undertake cutting for a variety of purposes, including for expansion/shrinkage cuts, trenching, joints, floor chases, decorative cutting and demolition cuts.

It has the equipment and experience to work in almost any environment inside or out, within a confined space or an open area.

Electric and hydraulic saws allow for fumeless emission for sensitive work sites, while the company also operates remote-controlled saws for dangerous or hard-to-reach areas.

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Concut can drill through concrete, asphalt, brickwork and floors in any environment.

It can do core drilling and samples, penetration holes for plumbing, holes for extractor fans and ducting, building/ earthquake strengthening and cable holes in walls, floors and ceilings.

The company operates a range of drills from 10mm to 500mm in diameter and can drill up to 12 metres deep, at any angle and in almost any environment including under water.

Concut is a breaking and removal specialist for confined spaces, using hand-held crushers, as well as concrete walls, floors, foundations, doorways and buildings.

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56 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

The company is also an excavation specialist for carparks, driveways, hill work, site works, foundations, land formation, confined space

Its fleet of machinery includes excavators up to 10 tonnes, tip trucks, bobcats, rock breakers and crushers, hydraulic crushers and excavator and bobcat-mounted breakers.

Flooring In addition, Concut Flooring is a market leader in grinding and polishing concrete, which is perfect for a wide variety of applications, including commercial, retail, industrial and residential flooring.

Polished concrete is also used extensively in fire hearths, benchtops, bartops and tables.

Concut Flooring will work with new or old concrete and offers HTC Superfloor, which is the latest revelation in flooring.

HTC Superfloor is the revolutionary flooring concept with a simple technique that makes concrete more than just strong and hardwearing. HTC’s machines and diamond tools grind and polish concrete floors to remove the surface paste and expose the stronger concrete beneath, with no urethanes or coatings required.

The result of this process is a stronger, more durable, shiny and beautiful polished concrete floor. The high-gloss surface is extremely hard wearing and versatile, as well as being extremely cost effective.

It works extremely well in renovations and comes with a 10-year guarantee.

“We’re putting more and more gear on each week to try to keep up with demand.” Steve Duff

Concut owner

Property and Construction | Concut

“We’re capable of doing anything in the concrete cutting field.”

Steve Duff Concut owner

“We do the heavy duty work — it takes bigger state-of-the-art equipment and more expensive machinery. We’ve always invested in that and have a larger number of staff so we can do the big jobs.”

Concut trains its own staff and has some employees who have been with the company for 20-plus years. “We’re pretty busy and we think over the next couple of years it’s going to get even busier. We’re gearing up and putting more and more gear on each week to try to keep up with demand,” Duff says.

Concut is a specialist at concrete cutting, drilling, breaking and removal, as well as concrete grinding and polishing. The company is the South Island’s largest concrete cutting and drilling service provider.

Earthquake demolition work Concut Limited has purchased specialist machinery to help with the demolition of damaged Christchurch buildings. The concrete cutting, breaking and drilling business has been extremely busy due to the earthquakes, with about 70 percent of its work now earthquake related.

Owner Steve Duff says following the September quake, Concut was involved in some concrete drilling and earthquakestrengthening work on older buildings.

However, most of its work since the February quake has been in demolition.

One of the company’s significant recent jobs was the removal of the dome from the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Barbados Street.

Concrete in the dome was 800-900mm thick, which Duff says would’ve required a blade of two metres in diameter to cut it. Instead, the company imported a wire saw with diamond beads from Austria specially for the job.

The wire saw is the latest technology in high-frequency electric wire cutting. It is a powerful light-weight rig with the capability of cutting through concrete beams, columns and walls. The saw is ideal for deconstructing multi-storey buildings quickly and efficiently, piece by piece.

The rig has 11 metres of wire storage and consists of a small control box, which is light weight with load sensing capability, removing the possibility of operator error. The unit is operated by wireless remote control, which

allows for operation from a safe distance.

“The wire with the diamond beads spins and is pulled through the concrete like a cheese slicer,” says Duff. “The wire and the engine are both water cooled and were operated by remote control on the Catholic Cathedral job.”

Concut is currently working at the Huntsbury Hill Reservoir, cutting a large hole to allow machinery in. The walls are 700mm thick, with the wire saw also used.

“We have a full range of concrete cutting equipment and I think our wire saw is the only one in Christchurch,” Duff says.

Company growth

Prior to the earthquakes, Concut was doing a lot of roading work for the Christchurch City Council. “We had to scale back quite a bit during the recession and get back to the basics of concrete cutting, but we’ve since been moving forward,” he says.

“We’re capable of doing anything in the concrete cutting field and we pride ourselves on our service. With the size of the company we have the fire power to meet most needs.”

Concut Limited 43 Vickerys Road Sockburn Christchurch T (03) 349 7878 F (03) 349 2560 E enquiries@concut.co.nz www.concut.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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0800 224 653 653 www.holer.co.nz www.holer.co.nz info@holer.co.nz info@holer.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 57

Property and Construction | Flexible Door Technology

Automatic entry Flexible Door Technology in Christchurch has announced a major change of supplier for its rapid-acting door range. The company has moved from its agreement with Albany Door Systems in favour of expanding into the full range of rapid-acting doors from Ditec Entrematics of Italy.

Ditec is one of the world’s largest designers and manufacturers of automated entrance technology. Its products are globally renowned for their reliability, quality and great price.

Flexible Door Technology is New Zealand’s number one provider of PVC doors and screens for environmental control.

The company is an expert in providing innovative flexible solutions for any environmental problem, including temperature, wind and weather, dust, birds and insects, noise and humidity.

Formed in 1992 by directors John Adams and George Hayward, Flexible Door Technology today employs 12 staff from its head office and manufacturing plant in Christchurch, with a further eight staff in Auckland.

The company supplies and services customers throughout New Zealand and is backed up by a network of resellers and trained service agents around the country.

Flexible Door Technology offers unmatched depth of experience and understanding in the specialised field of PVC doors and screens and high-speed doors. Its focus is in matching quality and design to clients’ needs to ensure specific performance criteria are met or surpassed. Flexible doors provide a hands-free barrier between incompatible environments.

High-speed doors use a sensor to detect traffic and open and close automatically, providing a fast no-contact solution.

For its range of PVC strip curtains and swing doors, Flexible Door Technology uses highquality PVC made to French formulations to meet stringent EU quality requirements. This differs from many other makes of PVC now available, in that it contains no toxins, is certified safe for use in food-handling environments and is totally recyclable.

Flexible Door Technology is the agent for the Italian Ditec Entrematics range of rapid-acting doors (above) which provide flexible solutions for environmental control.

Phone. 03 353 4490 Email. canterbury@results.com Web. www.results.com

Flexible Door Technology has been the exclusive New Zealand agent for Ditec rapidacting doors since 2007 and has found them to be extremely dependable, with a broad range of models suited to the NZ market.

time and maintenance costs, while local manufacture means the more popular models can be supplied and installed within lead times as short as two weeks.

Director John Adams says Ditec products offer many benefits to New Zealand customers, including superior quality at a reduced price.

Adams says the Ditec rapid-acting doors have been well received by customers, with sales and market share growing steadily, despite a difficult economic climate.

Ditec manufactures all components in-house in Italy, meaning a higher level of quality control is achieved. “They also enable us to sub-manufacture in Christchurch so we can import components and build doors up here, which immediately reduces our freight costs and lead times, and therefore our price for the customer,” Adams says.

“While our main market is the food industry, from dairy factories to fruit packhouses, the product is now well established in most industrial sectors — anybody who needs heightened levels of environmental control and to be able to access doorways rapidly,” he says. “Ditec is world leading in terms of quality and performance for the price.”

“Ditec represents good value for money. It’s a cleverly engineered Italian product that offers great flexibility of choice, enabling customers to tailor specification and price to fit their performance and budgetary requirements.”

In another move, Flexible Door Technology has recently been appointed the New Zealand distributor for a range of rolling fire doors from the United States, which offer huge space savings over conventional sliding fire doors.

Ditec automatic doors offer great benefits.

Installed internally or externally, they allow heightened levels of environmental control without inhibiting traffic flows. Options available include doors that break out under accidental impact and fully “self-reset”, counter-balanced doors that offer instant emergency egress without power, special insulated freezer models, wind resistance up to 140kph, mesh blades or windows for ventilation without admitting insects and a wide choice of curtain fabric colours.

Flexible Door Technology Limited 9 Lock Crescent Hillsborough Christchurch 8022 T (03) 384 8036 F (03) 384 8046 E info@flexibledoors.co.nz www.flexibledoors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Property and Construction | Kidson Construction

From small beginnings…

Kidson Construction was founded

by Brian Kidson in 1963. “Founded” may be an overly grand description for money borrowed from friends and family, an old (even then) Thorneycroft truck, a Drott frontend loader with a backhoe and a ute.

“When we started the Thorneycroft on the vehicle deck of the ferry bringing it back to Nelson, it smoked the whole deck out,” Brian says. “No one could see and there was a lot of coughing… we were pretty happy to get on our way.”

Above: Working on the Lee Valley Bridge.

Brian, a civil engineer, returned from Australia where he had been working as a tunnel shift supervisor on the large Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme. Initial civil and building projects were small, but soon grew to include work on the Picton Ferry linkspan structure and a large submarine sewer outfall in Nelson.

Right: Kidson’s worked on the gravity fed underground winery at Woollaston Winery, which is set into the Mahana hillside where its living roof of native tussock and shrubs allow it to blend gently with the surrounding Nelson landscape.

Brian remains a director of the company and his son Matthew is now the general manager. In practical terms, the distance travelled from the company’s formation to now, is one of capability. The company now employs four professional engineers, carpenters, scaffolders and tradesmen in a total of forty staff as well as operating mobile cranes and a having a large scaffolding inventory.

Below: Precast work on the Ruby Bay Bypass.

“We still love a challenge and enjoy civil projects, as well as having completed many commercial, industrial and civic buildings,” Matthew says. “We have undertaken earthquake strengthening of buildings and infrastructure over the years,

m. p. f. e. w.

including the old post office in Cathedral Square in Christchurch. As far as we can tell the building appears to be intact and this is very satisfying for us.”

Kidson’s continue to develop capability in this area with work underway of the application of ECC or flexible spray on concrete. “We consider this Reid supplied product has a role to play in economically strengthening buildings and infrastructure,” Matthew says.

Recent projects of note are aquatic centres in Richmond and the West Coast, precast structures for the Ruby Bay bypass, Nelson waterfront improvements and a gravity fed underground winery for Woollaston Estates.

“I think there is a lot more compliance paperwork than when dad started the company,” Matthew says. “We’ve worked pretty hard to get ACC Tertiary Health and Safety certification as well as audited QA systems. Sometimes this can seem a distraction from going out and building things, but modern companies can’t survive and prosper without good systems.”

He sees scarcity of competent labour being a huge issue on the horizon with the scale of work ahead. “There’s a lot to do and you can’t deliver a quality product without the right staff in key positions. We are working on our training and recruiting,” he says.

“Those sorts of obstacles aside, the future looks very good.”

Kidson Construction Limited 3 Kidson Place Nelson T (03) 547 9619 F (03) 547 9616 E info@kidson.co.nz www.kidson.co.nz — Advertising Feature

027 432 7117 03 547 9619 03 547 9616 matthew@kidson.co.nz www.kidson.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 59

Property and Construction | GT Liddell Contracting

Infrastructure GT Liddell Contracting is one of the South Island’s leading multiskilled infrastructure and general engineering companies, with 20 years’ experience in the industry.

GT Liddell Contracting was established by Graham Liddell two decades ago, with the company moving into a large new purposebuilt depot in Hewlett Road Extension in Greymouth four years ago.

A handrail and balustrade manufactured by GT Liddell Contracting.

“We’re a multi-skilled company,” Liddell says.

“We do general engineering and structural steel work, sandblasting and painting with galvanised arc spraying. We do precast

concrete and we also have the guys and cranes for site welding and site erection of steelwork and precast concrete, as well as ‘in situ’ concrete.”

GT Liddell’s main work involves infrastructure such as bridge building, repairs, new buildings, process plants, cranes and heavy haulage. “We have 83 staff and we go all over the South Island and into the North Island a bit,” Liddell says. “We have very good staff employed, including our own draftsmen and design guys.”

GT Liddell Contracting operates a huge fleet of trucks, including tip trucks and transporters, as well as diggers, cranes for lifting and piling, and a range of Hirail trucks, cranes and diggers.

Significant projects GT Liddell Contracting has undertaken many large projects throughout the South Island over the years. It is currently repairing the last road-rail bridge in New Zealand across the Taramakau River on the West Coast.

“It’s a challenging job because we have to keep the road open to road and rail while we’re doing all the structural repairs, as well as blasting and painting it.

“The project will take about two years to complete,” he says.

GT Liddell Contracting has also been doing repair work in rail tunnels around Canterbury since the earthquakes, as well as engineering work with local companies.

In addition, the company manufactures and distributes a range of outdoor furniture for parks and reserves, under its own brand name of Kotuku Furniture, including bench seats, picnic tables, rubbish bins and bus shelters, made from a combination of steel and timber. “We’ve been making outdoor furniture since 2000 and it’s all heavy vandalresistant furniture,” Liddell says.

Graham Liddell says his company has grown over the years, to fulfil its customers’ requirements. “We can offer alternatives.

We can offer design evaluation, full project management with design and build,” he says.

GT Liddell is a multi-skilled general engineering and structural steel company based in Greymouth.

“We provide a quality of service at a reasonable price to people. It’s about working with your clients to achieve what they require within a budget and timeframe.”

GT Liddell Contracting manufactures a wide range of steel items, including this barbecue shelter.

60 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Property and Construction | GT Liddell Contracting

initiatives Leading Light supreme winner GT Liddell Contracting was recently awarded the West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Supreme Award, the third recognition the company has received in the past two years.

Pike River mining tragedy and, more recently, the catastrophic earthquakes which have had overwhelming consequences for our Cantabrian neighbours,” he says.

This is the third significant award GT Liddell Contracting has won in the past two years.

It recently won a health and safety award The inaugural Leading Light Business with New Zealand Workplace, as well as an Excellence Awards were held at Shantytown near Greymouth in early July. The event aimed equal employment opportunities award with Workplace Literacy and Training. to celebrate business excellence in the West Coast region and acknowledge the valuable GT Liddell Contracting Limited contribution local businesses make to the PO Box 351 West Coast economy.

Greymouth 7680 West Coast pioneers possessed courage and vision while demonstrating perseverance and hard work, and the West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards reflect that pioneering spirit which in 1888 saw Reefton switch on electric street lights; the first to do so in New Zealand and arguably the first in the southern hemisphere.

GT Liddell Contracting undertakes a range of steel work, including this fence in Picton (above).GT Liddell’s main work includes infrastructures such as bridge

building and repairs.

T (03) 768 6990 F (03) 768 6992 — Advertising Feature

Development West Coast chairman John Sturgeon says there was a high quality of entries in the awards.

GT Liddell Contracting was named as the supreme winner of the Greymouth Star Super Nova Award, and also won the Westland Milk Products construction/engineering/ manufacturing award.

Owner Graham Liddell says he was surprised but delighted with his company’s success, given the high standard of competition from the other entrant companies.

“It’s a great boost for the company in general.

It’s a great morale boost for the staff to see their hard work recognised. We have put a lot of effort into setting up a strong company structure in the last few years and winning the supreme award is a wonderful reward for all that work,” he says.

“For our clients it shows the support to us from them, that they can see value in engaging a company like ours to complete there projects. It also reflects confidence in West Coast companies working together.”

Recognition on the West Coast Development West Coast chief executive John Chang says the Leading Light Business Awards serve to acknowledge the important role business plays throughout the West Coast region.

The West Coast has more than 3800 businesses employing over 15,000 staff, but the Leading Light Awards is the first time their successes have been acknowledged.

“It has been a challenging year for business on the West Coast. These awards are even more significant in 2011 as the region emerges from a global economic recession, has had to deal with the challenge of the

“We provide a quality of service at a reasonable price… It’s about working with your clients to achieve what they require within a budget and timeframe.”

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 61

Hospitality | Canterbury Revival

Summer fun

in the park Cantabrians have two new events to add to their social calendars this summer.

Team Event is staging two new city festivals; the Christchurch/South Island Wine & Food Festival and the Great Kiwi Beer Festival, both in Hagley Park.

The Christchurch/South Island Wine & Food Festival will be on December 3, with tickets available from Eventfinder. The last time a wine and food festival was held in Hagley Park was back in 2006.

Tickets to The Great Kiwi Beer Festival will be available from November and is scheduled for late summer with a date yet to be confirmed.

The wine and food festival doubles as a celebration of the South Island’s acceptance as part of the Great Wine Capitals (GWC) Global Network www. greatwinecapitals.com

Team Event spokesperson Callam Mitchell says plans are on track to attract around 50 Jo Burzynska, Callam Mitchell and Jonny Schwass toast the future success of the Christchurch/South Island Wine & Food Festival on December 3 at Hagley Park. leading wine producers from across wine growing regions that make up the local Great Wine Capital — Central Otago, Canterbury, Waipara, Marlborough and Nelson. “What’s going to make this festival stand out is our association with the world’s “The pack is leak proof and odour proof, so Ask anyone in the know and they’ll tell you The Nelson-based business has launched other eight Great Wine Capitals — the festival all the smell and flavour is held inside. that ‘you can’t beat fresh food’. Ask a chef Garnish to Go, a cook in the bag concept that will boast a large selection of international and they’ll tell you the there’s no substitute uses completely fresh ingredients. wines including those from Bordeaux (France), “You don’t have to handle it until you eat it. for cooking with fresh ingredients. Consult Firenze (Italy), and La Rioja (Spain).”

It’s the convenience of selecting and cooking Simply select your preferred cut and garnish a health expert and they’ll inform you the fish without the inconvenience of touching of choice which is applied to your cut on the High profile chefs will be pairing wines with benefits of fresh food are undeniable. spot. This is placed in the Garnish to Go pouch it, smelling it and having to cook it.” dishes created from locally sourced produce.

But how often do you sacrifice freshness and sealed. Anytime within the next 36 hours, “This festival is something Canterbury can It also puts a new spin on preconceptions for convenience? You know you should buy simply remove the pack from the refrigerator, look forward to — sharing good music, food about pre-packaged food, he says. “If you fresh ingredients and take the time to cook pierce the film and put it in the oven and and wine with each other, while relaxing in a put something that’s pre-flavoured and prea proper meal, but opt for something quick cook. Then eat. safe and social environment,” headlining chef packaged in front of someone, they think its and easy, where the leg work’s done for Jonny Schwass says.

Bounty Cuisine managing director Peter Cronin old — so we simply couldn’t do that. you, at the expense of nutritional value. says the system is made for fish, which often A strong line-up of contemporary New “The customer wants to see fish packed When it comes to fish, it’s a decision you finds itself in the ‘too hard’ basket. “There’s a Zealand bands will entertain and guest fresh in front of them and that’s what we’ve no longer need to make. Thanks to Bounty distinct group who won’t touch seafood speakers will take to the stage with the goal done. What you get is ‘cook in the bag’ but Cuisine you can have because it’s cold, dead and of creating a higher level of appreciation with fresh ingredients.” fresh fish that’s smelly. This addresses all of those for South Island wines. Among those is wonderfully issues, making it perfect for Bounty Cuisine has also created its own renowned wine expert, Jo Burzynska. “It is garnished without people who never touch range of sauces where you’ll find tasty little exciting to see something positive happening any hassle.

seafood, yet love the stuff. numbers like lime and chilly fusion. for Christchurch. It will be a great festival, celebrating the best wine and food that the Garnish to Go is now available in New World South Island has to offer.” supermarkets in Oamaru, Timaru, Fendalton

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and South City in Christchurch, Hokitika, Nelson and Queenstown. In the North Island it is available at 36 stores through the Foodstuffs group.

Launched close to a year ago, the product is beginning to find some serious traction.

“The feedback we’re getting from supermarkets and supermarket clients is just phenomenal. It’s about to go huge in the NZ market and it’s big in the UK and Europe.”

For more information visit www.bountycuisine.com 62 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

The beer festival theme is all about appreciation of New Zealand’s brewing industry, “and has come about because of the growing popularity of boutique brewing,” Mitchell says. Festival-goers will be able to sample New Zealand beers and a wide range of international beers from breweries spanning Europe to Asia. The presence of respected brew masters will give patrons the opportunity to interact with the people behind their favourite brands. Live bands, educational seminars, brand experience areas, beer and food matching, exhibitions and cooking displays will complete the line up.

Hospitality | Abalone Thai

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Abalone Thai 135 Farrington Ave Mitre 10 Shop 23 } between & Kiwibank Bishopdale Christchurch T (03) 360 2168

The past decade or so has seen the world shrink markedly. As more Kiwis travel and more immigration occurs, the sights, sounds and flavour of foreign lands have found their way to our shores.

This is especially so with Asia and the delicious taste of Thai food that’s now known to us all. Just the thought of a green curry or chicken pad thai is enough to make your mouth water.

In Christchurch, serving up enticing authentic food made with quality ingredients is the Abalone Thai resturant.

“But most of the customers are local and love coming here. The feedback we get the most of is how impressed people are with the food and service. We get tourists come in saying they’ve travelled around the South Island and this is the best restaurant they’ve been to.

Hearing that is a huge compliment.”

Revamped restaurant Owner Glen Clark feels his restaurant has a strong point of difference. “Without a doubt we’ve got some of the best quality meats in today’s market. I use strip loin wild pork, tenderloin wild venison, tender loin lamb, etc.

It’s all the best quality meat you can get, and the best cuts of it.

Abalone Thai has undergone an expensive refurbishment, making the popular restaurant better than ever.

Clark says he has invested quarter of a million dollars into the kitchen and the interior and it is already paying off with the compliments he’s received on the new atmosphere.

“The chefs are also fantastic. We have an emphasis on making the food in-house.

For example, out of the 16 entrees, we make 15 of them.”

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Clark is committed to Christchurch, and has “full intentions of moving into the city sometime next year as the rebuild takes place.”

Clifford Chan & Co Limited

Those looking for something exotic will be satisfied. Abalone Thai has dishes made from ostrich, paua and even Australian crocodile steak!

Although the food is traditional Thai, it has been adapted to suit Kiwi tastes. “It’s served mild — unless you request it to be spicy! All the staff and the chefs are Thai, including my wife who is the front of house manager.

Abalone Thai can cater for up to 70 people and can join seating together to seat more than 30 people in one line. The restaurant and is frequently used for celebrations such as birthdays and office functions.

A wall has been moved to create more space, and Clark is planning to be able to seat at least 120 people in the future. The kitchen has been done up to make it more functional, to the delight of the cooking staff. The head chef has also invested in the business.

All this adds to what was already a successful restaurant with a relaxed ambience. “One thing that stands us apart is our saltwater aquarium,” Clark says. “It’s the biggest saltwater aquarium in a restaurant in Christchurch. It’s three metres long and filled with colourful fish. Children in particular love it.

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“Our staff members are all dressed in authentic Thai costume, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the restaurant.”

www.abalonethai.co.nz Lunch: Monday to Saturday 11.30am – 2.00pm

Dinner: Monday to Thursday 5–9.30pm, Friday & Saturday until late, Sunday 5–9.00pm www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 63

Hospitality | The Fox and Ferret Shirley

Fox returns

Your

Live music, quiz nights, good beer and quality food.

For seven fun years, the Fox and the Ferret in Shirley had it all. And while it was shut for months after earthquake damage, the team is happy to announce it has now reopened just the same — if not better — than ever.

A place for all seasons, it occupies a sundrenched location just outside The Palms with a large courtyard making it the perfect place for a cold drink on a summer’s day.

In winter, it’s just as idyllic with a blazing fire and hearty hot meals. The Fox and Ferret is also well-known for catering to those looking for a quiet drink and those wanting a big night.

On weeknights, the bar buzzes with people enjoying delicious meals, a couple of drinks or taking part in the weekly pub quiz. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays customers can party into the small hours to live music.

Styled like a typical British pub, the Fox and Ferret’s fare follows this tradition. Items such as ribs, fish’n’chips, hearty steaks and curry are all on the menu.

Most noteworthy though, is the Stonegrill range — a Fox special which is quite literally

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sizzling hot. In this range, the meal is presented on a heated stone. You can then leave the food on as long as you want, meaning the meat is cooked to your personal version of perfection.

Functions are often held at the Fox and the Ferret at The Palms. Catering for any social or business occasion from a brunch, lunch or dinner to a cocktail function, there are three fabulous function spaces to choose from.

The Turret Room, described as the ‘gem’ of the Fox, has all the comforts with built in soft furnishings a fireplace and a big screen that can be used for presentations. It can seat up to 60 people for dining or drinks and nibbles.

You can even have your very own private outdoor area with tables and leaners!

The Platform, on the ground floor of the Fox and Ferret, is slightly raised. With a fireplace, booths and seating for about 40 people for dining or drinks and nibbles, this area is great if you want an area to call your own but still be amongst the action at the Fox and Ferret.

And then there’s the upstairs on the Mezzanine Floor, with its booth-like surrounds, caters for functions of about 30 people.

Up until February 22, it was business as usual for The Fox and Ferret. However, for the last six months, The Fox and the Ferret has been shut while repairs have been carried out on The Palms complex.

Hospitality | The Fox and Ferret Shirley

The mall was supposed to reopen at the end of June, but the June 13 earthquakes put paid to that. Finally, the mall reopened on September 8. And so did the Fox and Ferret.

“We are so pleased to be back,” general manger Tom Cairns says. “The first week we were just open and glad to be getting back into the swing of things. The night after we opened was the first match of the rugby event all of New Zealand has been waiting for, so that kept us busy.”

The week after that The Edge’s afternoon show hosts, Fletch and Vaughn, came to Christchurch to host the official reopening party which took place on Saturday, September 17. Fletch and Vaughn successfully hosted the Fox’s Oktoberfest celebration last year and Cairns says it was great to have them back.

Future foundations Despite being shut for only a few months, the situation in the eastern part of Christchurch is dramatically different than what it was at the start of the year. However, The Fox and Ferret is here to stay. “It’s still the same old Fox,” Cairns says.

“Why you enjoyed going before is still here now. We’ve still got the music, the pub quiz and the great value. I hope the locals will all come back — they were a huge part of our clientele and we’ve genuinely missed them.”

Not only has the Fox reopened, but so has The Palms mall with its other entertainment amenities such as the movies. Once again, The Palms is truly the place to shop, dine and play.

All the team is glad the bar has re-opened and glad to be back at work. “Over the last few years we have supported the local

community and we will carry on supporting local community, catching up with the people who used to come and meeting new faces.

“It’s an interesting time for everyone. A lot of people have moved away from the area but we do hope we will give them a reason to keep coming back.”

The Fox and Ferret Shirley Palms Shopping Centre Cnr Marshland & New Brighton Roads T (03) 385 9955 F (03) 385 9944 E palms@foxandferret.co.nz www.foxpalms.co.nz — Advertising Feature

It’s been too long but we are pleased to announce that your local is back up and running from the 8th of September!

The Palms Shopping Centre Cnr Marshland & New Brighton Roads, Shirley, Christchurch Ph. 03 3859955 | Fax. 03 3859944

www.foxandferret.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 65

Hospitality | The Carlton Country Club

ising from the rubble It was with much sadness that Cantabrians watched the demolition of the Carlton Hotel on Bealey Avenue in June.

It was one of the many iconic buildings fractured by Mother Nature and finished off by the wrecking ball.

However, thanks to an industrious and innovative team, the site isn’t lying empty for months or years, waiting for the rebuild to get under way. Within a few weeks of demolition, a building fashioned from a truck that extends outwards was erected.

Once more, this site is a thriving hospitality venue, home to a new bar called the Carlton Country Club. Outside, artificial grass and trees in planters have converted the empty site into something fun and attractive.

Inside, it feels like a permanent building with a stunning bar, large screen TVs and classy wooden furniture.

All this is in keeping with Christchurch’s past. Since European colonisation, the Carlton Corner site has been a popular watering-hole.

The first hotel was built in 1865, initially catering for travellers to Christchurch from the north.

Victoria Street/Papanui Road was the main route north for Cobb and Co coaches and was later one of the first urban tram routes.

The original hotel was replaced in 1906 in time for the 1906-1907 International Exhibition, a giant showcase of New Zealand innovation hosted by Christchurch.

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Hospitality | The Carlton Country Club

This building, which stood until June 2011 and was known as the Carlton Hotel, was designed by J C Maddison, an architect who also designed many other city hotels.

The Carlton Hotel was built to accommodate visitors for the international exhibition.

The total number of visitors numbered two million and the event was an amazing feat for Christchurch, considering New Zealand’s entire population at this time was less than one million.

Throughout its 100 years, the Carlton was a trail-blazer. According to the New Zealand Historic Trust’s register, the establishment was associated with a number of firsts in New Zealand’s brewing history.

These include serving the first beer on tap in 1939-1940, opening of the first beer garden in 1947 and the first drive-through bottle store in 1954. Later, part of the building became a Burger King and other parts were used as office space.

The majestic hotel withstood the September 4 earthquake, although it needed

significant repairs. It was open for business again within a few months, in time for the February 22 earthquake which left it badly shaken. After the June 13 aftershocks it had to be demolished immediately as it was a safety risk. As a testament to its popularity, a crowd gathered to farewell it, and its demolition was covered in local papers.

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Makeshift merriment The new temporary bar is being run by Alex Watson, owner of SOL Square’s Cartel and Vitto bars. A previous owner of the Carlton Hotel, Rob Miller, runs a stocktaking company which did the stocktake for Cartel which is how he and Watson formed a business relationship.

Miller had the option to take the lease of the site of the Carlton and he and Watson met to discuss his vision for it with a third business partner, Penne Small.

“When I saw the concept of this I thought, ‘that’s a good idea’,” Watson says. “It’s been a lot of work but we’re happy to have it open.”

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Hospitality | The Carlton Country Club

Opening Hours

The Carlton Country Club is open seven days a week, in the evenings on weeknights and from lunchtime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Watson was there when the hotel was demolished, and is pleased to see previous customers support the new bar.

“It’s cool to see people still here, there’s a lot of emotional feeling between Christchurch people and this site. The post-earthquake broadcasts were shot from out here.

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“For quite a while it sat here with a hole where the cellar was. We think we’ve made a big improvement to the site. It would be a shame if the hotel had been knocked down and the site just sat here, just a bare ugly hole in the ground.”

The new bar opened on August 5. It’s called the Carlton Country Club because the astro turf, lime chip and planters that make up the outside give the feeling of a country club.

So far, says Watson, business has been going well. The atmosphere is all about “good wine, good beer, good food and good service.”

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Open every day, the bar is a great spot to watch rugby on the large screens, or relax and chat over pizza and a beer. With indoor and outdoor heating, patrons aren’t shivering away. In fact, Watson says, most people immediately comment on how solid and professional the structure is.

Most nights, customers are treated to live entertainment such as a band or a DJ. On Sunday afternoons, a popular two piece band plays. With plenty of outside furniture on the sunny Papanui Road site; enjoying a cold drink, live music and good conversation will make this the new ideal chill-out spot for

friends and families on a Sunday afternoon.

“It really is a summer venue,” Watson says.

“One of the first things that appealed to me about this site was how sunny it is.

“Part of the idea was the timing — get it up and running, then there’s Rugby World Cup, summer, and Christmas. Two more wide screen TVs are coming for outside to make it truly an outdoor venue.”

Watson is working on getting a container kitchen up and running so customers can be served lunch and tapas. Right now, it’s pizzas from Spagalimis on offer, as well as the excellent beer and wine list.

The Carlton Country Club is open seven days a week, in the evenings weeknights and from lunchtime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Christchurch commitment The Carlton Country Club is just a temporary bar and won’t be here for the long term future. “The man who owns the site is looking at rebuilding,” Watson says.

“I think most people would be pretty disappointed if it wasn’t a bar or a hotel, or something to do with hospitality on this site.

“It would be a shame of it was a big high rise building or apartments. He’s not looking to build well into next year, which suits us well as we’re happy to stay here for 9-12 months.”

After that Watson and his business partner Rob Miller will go back to their other commercial projects. One thing is for sure

— despite this challenging year, they see a bright future for Christchurch. “We’re committed to the city. We’ve got lots of plans and this is just the beginning of it.”

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Hospitality | Kelly’s Pantry

Serving up comfort food…

The difference between success and failure is not about how much you win, but how many times you get back on the horse after it’s thrown you off.

“People come here because of the friendly feel of the place, the food and the coffee, and the fact they can enjoy it in a lovely warm environment.”

“But we were always determined to open again as quickly as possible. This isn’t just about what we’re selling but about how we see ourselves in the local community.”

We’ve catered for up to 350 people; I don’t know where our limit is in terms of size, but that’s probably about us.”

This ‘feel’ isn’t created by extravagant interior design, but by people looking to form a connection with anyone who walks through the door.

“It’s about maintaining a connection with people at all levels, no matter where they work or what they do. And the relationship For Kelly’s Pantry, a cool little café-come-lunch we have with our regulars, people from all bar opposite Porritt Park on Wainoni Rd, the walks of life, is the core of our business. number is four — that’s the number of times the business has had to pick itself up and start “Some of our customers get really titchy if they don’t get their daily coffee fix and again since the September 4 earthquake. with all the road works it’s often hard to find You’d be hard pressed to find many a park outside, so we wait by the roadside Christchurch businesses that have had a coffee in hand for them. It’s like a drivesmooth ride during the past 12 months. though. How do you put a value on that type But when you’re trading in perishable of relationship?” commodities such as sandwiches, savouries These customer connections are, well, not and other tasty little morsels, disruptions can quite viral, but certainly online via the Kelly’s prove deadly. “It really was a bit of a palaver Pantry facebook page. “It’s about spreading each time,” says Kelly. “We were open pretty quickly after the September quake, closed for the word. We post our specials of the day, four weeks following the February quake, lost coming promotions, community news and even info about the traffic. It’s just about a week after the June shake and had a little keeping people informed and staying in touch closure after each of the snowfalls. with our customers.”

“Our building has been fine but the issues have been with utility services and access. It’s The company’s catering demands are also difficult to cook with no power or make coffee coming under demand, he says. without water and, of course, we lost all our “We do quite a bit for training event, staff food and lots of crockery in the earthquakes. morning teas, or for clubs and seminars.

This has been the couple’s mantra since buying the business in March 2010.

The business name, Mark (Kelly’s husband) says, speaks for itself. “It’s called Kelly’s Pantry because she is this business.”

Kelly’s Pantry is part of the community, he says. “We’re not a swanky high street kind of place. We’re a small suburban café that surprises and delights people with great food, made with fresh ingredients and wonderful coffee.

So if you feel the need for great, fresh homemade food, fabulous coffee, yummy baking and super soups, or for a friendly place where you can sit and relax as the day drifts by, then you’ve found your answer.

Kelly’s Pantry 82A Wainoni Rd Wainoni Christchurch T (03) 982 2060 E eat@kellyspantry.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 69

Hospitality | Moveable Feasts

Fine fare for any function For more than 28 years Christchurch catering company Moveable Feasts has been serving up delicious food to the Canterbury region.

From humble beginnings, catering for small corporate and private parties, Moveable Feasts progressed, essentially via word-ofmouth referrals, to the wedding and larger corporate and event markets within a meagre two years.

Keeping up with trends within the industry has enabled the company to retain its distinctive reputation as a quality catering and event management business, says director Stu Weatherhead.

“We are constantly reinvesting in vehicles, new plant and equipment — which is imperative for specialist location events. With food styles changing over the last decade, Moveable Feasts can easily adapt and keep pace with the diversity of change that will come along in the next decade.

Kiwis are travelling more and more and coming back with new ideas and tastes.”

Weatherhead believes the company’s point of difference lies with its two brands — Moveable Feasts and Stu’s Smokin’ Barbeque. This allows the company to offer an array of varied menus to cater for all budgets and style of functions.

REFRIGERATION RENTAL AND SALES COMPANY

Specialising in supply to: • • • • • • • • •

Tradeshows Sports events Functions Caterers Liquor Fruit and vege growers Butchers Convenience stores Bars, Cafes, Restaurants

Short & long term hire Selling new & ex rental refrigeration equipment Proud to support Moveable Feasts Crn Waltham Rd & Kingsley St, Christchurch 03-982-3103 • 021-767-151 info@coldhire.co.nz

“Having a stable of options available in February was our saviour.”

Stu Weatherhead Moveable Feasts director

“Our reputation and recent growth has come from being able to offer greater options and flexibility to our clients.

“Having a stable of options available in February was our saviour. We lost our entire operating base including all chiller and freezer food, dry goods, and suffered significant breakages and damage of equipment after the earthquake.”

Through this, Moveable Feasts mobilised and was able to continue with four weddings three days after the earthquake with great support from key suppliers. “Having our own generator through this and trucking in fresh water helped us.”

Consolidation Looking to the future, Weatherhead says Moveable Feasts will consolidate areas of strength with its purpose-built mobile kitchens and American barbeques from its new base at Harewood Golf Club.

Attending a barbeque boot camp in North Carolina recently will enable him to develop great new cooking ideas to introduce to the Christchurch market.

“We have experienced significant growth in the last 18 months which has meant increasing both operational and management staffing levels which is creating a strong infrastructure for the future,” he says.

“

“We have noticed a shift in the style of functions we are now quoting on — from ‘thank you shouts’ for hard working teams, to charitable cocktail party fundraisers.

“Plus corporates now really want their staff to know how appreciative they are of their efforts, and to acknowledge the general feeling of getting back to a new normal by planning Christmas parties.

Moveable Feasts PO Box 22658 Christchurch T (03) 389 8617 F (03) 389 3879 E info@moveablefeasts.co.nz www.moveablefeasts.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Interesting spaces “Christchurch now has a shortage of venues for any type of event. We have sourced interesting spaces around the periphery of the city to utilise as temporary venues for our clients,” he says.

60 HAYTONS ROAD CHRISTCHURCH PH: (03) 982 7030

“Everyone is so busy and focussed on getting their businesses back on track that they tend to ask us to source a suitable venue for their event. This means that we can set up anywhere in a very cost effective way and provide a range of function and event options.”

021 932 068

• Mobile Kitchens • Container Kitchens

Weatherhead says Moveable Feasts is right behind the enthusiasm and energy of the Canterbury hospitality industry gearing themselves up to get back on their feet with the advent of temporary sites.

Can set up kitchen from single item to full kitchen setup.

• Breakdowns

“There are exciting and challenging times ahead for the city and our team is inspired and ready to embrace the challenge of a new look future in Christchurch.”

We know that more and more people are looking for natural products, and our breads are completely natural.

– Jack & Jill, Breads of Europe

”

White Breads | Dark Sour Doughs | Cafe Products

Specialty Products | Danish | Dinner Rolls | Miscellaneous 70 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Short or long term hire, crockery cutlery etc also available.

www.chefshire.co.nz chefs@chefsequipment.co.nz

Proudly Supplying the Moveable Feasts Phone: (03) 381-1048 Order Hotline: (03) 381-0259

www.breads.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Making sense

of financial adviser qualifications The purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 is to “promote the sound and efficient delivery of financial adviser and broking services, and to encourage public confidence in the professionalism and integrity of financial advisers and brokers.”

Along with other legislation such as the Fair Trading Act 1986, Consumer Guarantees Act1993 and the Trustee Act 1956, it requires advisers and brokers to take an appropriate degree of care in providing services to investors and in addition:

■ Requires disclosure to clients so they can make informed decisions around potential conflicts of interest, qualifications and experience, as to whether to use an adviser or broker or follow a financial adviser’s advice; and

■ Imposes competency requirements on financial

advisers ensuring there are advisers available who have the experience, expertise and integrity to effectively match a person to a financial product that meets that person’s need and risk profile; and

■ Ensures that financial advisers are held

accountable for the services that they give and that there are incentives for financial advisers to manage conflict of interest appropriately

In conjunction with this is the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 which requires:

■ Registration of all financial service providers

as a means of identifying and monitoring financial service providers. The register is publicly available; and

■ Provision for a comprehensive approach to consumer dispute resolution and redress

It is around the registration of financial advisers that the public understanding might not be clear. There are Registered Financial Advisers (RFAs), Authorized Financial Advisers (AFAs) and Qualifying Financial Entities (QFEs) registered with the Companies Office.

These entities are regulated, supervised and monitored by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which has superseded the Securities Commission and has some pretty far reaching powers.

At last you might say there is a body to get rid of all the cowboys. Certainly the FMA advertising has targeted this message. While the new regulation sets the bar higher for entry into financial adviser services, it will take some time for the full benefits to be felt. Before discussing this further it would be helpful to explain what it means to be an RFA, AFA or QFE and define what an investment planning service is.

■ All advisers have to be Registered or RFA. An

RFA can provide advice or service in relation to a Category 2 product. These are generally simple products such as cash accounts, bank term deposits and term life insurance products. An RFA is not permitted to provide an investment planning service unless the RFA is acting through an AFA who is authorized to provide that service.

■ An AFA is an RFA who can provide investment

planning services and also give advice and discretionary management services in relation to Category 1 products. Category 1 products include Kiwisaver, superannuation funds, unit trusts, investment linked insurance policies, direct shares and bonds. An AFA, at a minimum, will have met the equivalent standards required to obtain the National Certificate in Financial Services. They will usually have formal qualifications and have demonstrated skill, knowledge and competency in their general or specialist area.

■ QFE advisers are employees or contracted agents

who provide financial adviser services on behalf of a QFE or its associated or partner entities. A QFE adviser cannot provide an investment planning service or personalized financial advice to a retail client; but can give advice on category 1 products that the QFE provides. Examples of a QFE adviser

could be a bank customer services employee or certain tied insurance agents. QFE advisers are not required to be individually registered; however the QFE is registered and is responsible for their actions. QFE advisers must comply with the same key conduct obligations as non-QFE advisers.

■ A person provides an investment planning

service if they design or offer to design a plan for an individual that is based on an analysis of the individual’s current and future financial situation (which must include investment needs) and identification of the individual’s investment goals.

It must include one or more recommendations or opinions on how to realise those goals.

As at July 1 there were approximately 1650 AFAs registered. This is a surprisingly small number and just goes to show that few advisers had formal qualifications. It may also indicate that there are a number of advisers seeking the protection of QFEs and thus avoiding the need, or buying the time, to complete authorisation.

The new regulations have definitely raised the standard and probably brought realisation to those that dabbled in investment advice that they should keep out of it and work through an AFA. It is not that onerous to become an AFA. The National Certificate in Financial Services is a level 5 NZQA qualification. That’s about first year university level.

There is a tremendous opportunity for young bright graduates returning from their OE to enter the financial advice industry.

By completing 500 hours of study, skill training and mentorship a young adviser can be let loose on the public. In saying that, they will be at a far higher competency standard than was previously required.

In ten to twenty years’ time the regulations will turn investment and financial advisory services into a truly respected profession. In the meantime though, while the regulators minimum requirements are a starting point, look for higher qualifications, experience and client testamonials when selecting a financial adviser.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 71

Ashburton — a destination With a thriving business community, idyllic urban and semi-rural living and some of the best outdoor experiences in New Zealand, Ashburton is a more progressive and go-ahead town than many people think it is “We’re a very different district to what we were 20 years ago,” Ashburton District Council‘s property manager John Rooney says.

Today, Ashburton has a strong, dynamic workforce with 60 percent of its 30,000 residents between the ages of 15 and 64 years. “There’s been growth over the years, and we’re continuing to grow. There’s a good mix of the demographic here. School rolls have increased a lot and there are a lot of people with young families here.”

And the district is looking to develop even further. One of the most exciting projects the Ashburton District Council is working on is the new business park. Land to the north of the city has been zoned for industrial use and there are 73 hectares of sections, ready for businesses to move in.

“There’s no red tape — the range of sections are on the market and ready to go,” the council’s finance manager Paul Brake says.

Ashburton’s location makes transporting products a breeze.

Ideally situated right next to State Highway One, it is only a 45 minute journey to Christchurch airport, and then a little further to the Lyttleton port, or south to Timaru’s port.

Ready & waiting A 73 hectare business spark to the north of the town has been zoned by the council. It is ready for businesses to move in!

There’s also tens of residential sections waiting for homes to be built. Currently, there’s approximately 115 sections on offer in Ashburton and a further 17 at Lake Hood for those who love waterfront living.

The council is, through its District Plan, moving to protect Ashburton’s airport so it can be developed to deal with freight.

It is also working with Kiwirail to relocate its freight handling facilities to the business park — not an old fashioned option but a futuristic one as peak oil is forecast to hit very soon.

An additional benefit from this move is the opportunity to redevelop the existing town based rail site in a manner sympathetic to the domain.

Solid networks Unlike moving to a newly built town or city, Ashburton is an old one with solid networks already in place. It was settled in the 1850s, and a strong business tradition has existed since then.

“Grow Mid-Canterbury, a business support group and Ashburton District Tourism, a tourism support group are there to help,” Rooney says. “There’s also a newcomer’s network to help people settle in.”

While business of all types flourish in Ashburton, there’s no denying, says Rooney, that the district’s bread and butter is the agricultural industry.

“We used to have largely sheep, arable and cattle farmers, but things have changed.

“Almost 50 percent of New Zealand’s irrigated land is located in the Ashburton district.

“With the advent of dairying, our agribusiness community has diversified but has retained its innovative characteristics.”

www.ashburton 72 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

with business diversity Drawing in newcomers

It’s easy to see why so many people have been drawn to Ashburton during the last decade. The historic inner town, complete with famously beautiful gardens, has a number of schools, churches and community facilities to enjoy. Approximately 115 sections in Ashburton’s township and in new subdivisions currently being constructed are ready for sale at a good mix of price ranges.

The jewel in the crown of the sections on offer are the 17 residential sections available at Lake Hood, just out of the town. This residential area sits next to a man-made lake where international waterskiing and rowing teams compete. At other times locals and visitors take the opportunity to fish, boat, swim and bathe. A maze of biking and walking trails allows the energetic other options when it comes to taking in the spectacular views.

This is truly some of the best living in New Zealand — wide open countryside, alpine views and a crystal lake. This land is owned by the council and has already been subdivided. Like the business park, it is ready to go.

People who haven’t been to Ashburton in a long time will be surprised to know that virtually all the large national retail chains are present. There’s also a range of restaurants, from upmarket ones serving delicious local fare to fast food franchises. Retention of the local specialty shops has been an important ingredient in providing a range of experiences for locals and visitors alike.

“If you come down here, where else can you find a home on the water in the countryside, but be ten minutes from town?” Paul Brake asks. “You get the infrastructure of Ashburton with its shopping and museums and township, but none of the big city problems like traffic issues.”

Rooney agrees. He loves living in Ashburton because it offers to him, the best of both worlds. “If you want entertainment we’ve got the Ashburton Trust Events centre which seats 500 and attracts a variety of local and touring shows. If there is a desire to attend a ‘main centre’ show, it’s only an hour to Christchurch.

The international airport is 45 minutes away.

“We have a good hospital, good schools and a polytech. With sports, you’re spoilt for choice. The district has five golf courses, biking trails, walking trails, the skifields and an array of well established clubs with very good facilities catering for all team sports across all age groups and skill levels.

Toting up

ATtractions ■ Idyllic countryside, complete with skifields, lakes for swimming and fishing, plus walking trails ■ Business and social networks are in place ■ Plenty of residential sections are available, both urban and semi-rural ■ Choice of primary schools and a high school ■ An art gallery and several museums, including the famous Ashburton Aviation Museum ■ A state-of-the-art events centre which seats up to 500 ■ An innovative business community, with agriculture at its heart ■ A growing hub for tourism, with organised tours and a marketing group.

Greater area

While Ashburton is seeking new residents, Rooney is quick to point out they are not trying to take people away from Christchurch at its difficult time.

“Ashburton sees itself as part of the greater Canterbury area.

We do a lot of business with people in Christchurch.

We don’t see ourselves in competition to Christchurch but as complimentary to it.”

“The council is planning on building a stadium. It will be part of a sports hub catering for indoor and outdoor activities. Of course, there’s also the famous domain and gardens.

“The local racecourse and associated clubs host top harness and galloping action.”

Ashburton District Council 5 Baring Square West PO Box 94 T (03) 307 7700 F (03) 308 1836 E johnmr@adc.govt.nz www.ashburtondc.govt.nz

dc.govt.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 73

Business Development | Shantytown

Passing the test of time Statistically, more businesses sink than swim, so there’s a lot to be said for those which survive corporate infancy.

Because, when it comes to business, age doesn’t come without time, dedication, passion and good old fashioned hard work.

For iconic West Coast Shantytown, emphasis can be placed on the old fashioned because, while behind the scenes there are a hard working bunch of dedicated and passionate personnel, Shantytown is designed to be just that — old fashioned.

Coast Historical and Mechanical Society was formed and work began on the present site.

Shantytown showcases New Zealand’s gold rush history preserved in a faithfully recreated, old fashioned West Coast town.

Service clubs such as Rotary, Jaycees and Lions as well as numerous tradespeople have donated over ten thousand hours of labour throughout the years to create Shantytown.

This community spirit is still evident today as Shantytown Heritage Park is governed by a board of local people.

What arose from a simple idea by a group of railway and vintage car enthusiasts, keen to preserve West Coast relics and create a tourist attraction, is now celebrating 40 years at the forefront of New Zealand’s historical landscape. Headed by Barney Sutherland, a watchmaker and jeweller with an interest in gold-panning as a tourist attraction, The West

But iconic doesn’t become iconic without a stream of constant innovation. “We opened on January 23, 1971,” marketing manager Janet Luxton says. “We are a long-standing tourist attraction, so continually upgrading and investing in new attractions have played an important role in our success. We’re looking forward to a great summer season.”

Fox Distributors supply Frozen, Chilled and Dry products to the West Coast, Buller, Murchison and Hanmer regions.

TIP TOP - McCains - Watties -Tegel Inghams -Golden Goose - Goulds Proud to supply & support Shantytown

PO Box 131, Westport 7866. Ph: (03) 03 789 7577 PO Box 280, Greymouth 7840. Ph: (03) 768 7143

Oak Lodge homestay

Hannan & Seddon are proud to support Shantytown See us for all your legal needs.

At Hannan & Seddon we pride ourselves on our friendly, easy to understand, while being large enough to handle all your legal matters.

Greymouth bed and breakfast West Coast accommodation a place to stay, enjoy and relax.

286 State Highway 6, Greymouth Phone / Fax: (03) 768 6832 0800 OAK LODGE | relax@oaklodge.co.nz

www. oaklodge.co.nz

Home buying and Selling | Business Law Employment | Relationship Property Farming Legal Matters | Family Trusts 61 Guinness Street Greymouth Ph: (03) 768 4169 Fax: (03) 768 4973 Hannan.Seddon@minidata.co.nz www.hannanandseddon.co.nz

Proud to support Shantytown

74 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Shantytown tells its stories through a fascinating mix of experience and displays…

We are proud to have provided IT services and support to Shantytown since 2008

Business Development | Shantytown

There is a lot of innovation and character on the coast which has influenced the rest of New Zealand…

One recent addition is the holographic theatre which features 10 minute shows. “It shows tales of murder and mayhem in goldfields in the olden days,” Luxton says with pride.

“It illustrates to people the hardships and sacrifices people made to make the coast what it is today, the difficulties they faced in settling here.

The village, born of the gold rush, offers delicious refreshments from King Dick’s Cafe, while the kids can enjoy the flying fox.

Explore the 30 shops and buildings that show a slice of life from the early days. Stop a while and browse the Curio for gifts or send a postcard stamped with the Shantytown’s own post mark.

“It tells the tale of Thomas Broham, the first local police officer and interwoven into that is the murder of the surveyor, George Dobson who is the brother of Arthur Dobson, after whom Arthurs Pass is named.”

For a memento of your visit, nothing is better to grab a costume and get an old time photo.

The discovery of gold in 1864 led to a population “explosion” from around 300 to almost 30,000 residents. Isolation, rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions produced stories of fortitude and ingenuity.

Fascinating mix Shantytown tells these stories through a fascinating mix of experience and displays.

Ride the steam train along an original tramway through native rainforest, stop for a photo and watch out for the wekas. The friendly loco drivers are happy to show you the cab. Experience the sights and sounds of a working sawmill, watch the mighty sluice gun in action. Follow the races and flumes to the Gold Claim where a gold miner will tutor you to pan for your own gold — where a strike is guaranteed.

Beautiful short bushwalks make the rainforest easy to get into and experience at your leisure.

Shantytown is also a museum, housing a substantial amount of important artefacts donated by West Coast families. “Most of buildings are replicas,” Luxton says. “But what’s in the buildings are true artefacts and we continue to play an important role in collecting and housing those artefacts for the West Coast community.

“We’ve been updating a lot of the information throughout the park about the gold rush. An important part of what we do is telling the West Coast story; we view ourselves as a West Coast attraction, rather than just limited to the Grey District.

“There is a lot of innovation and character here on the coast which influenced the rest of New Zealand; for example Reefton was the first town in the southern hemisphere to have street lighting.”

This same passion for innovation is evident in Shantytown’s operations. Plans are in progress for audio guides in three languages to be downloadable from the website. “This is in acknowledgement of the high statistics of

travellers who will research their destinations before travelling.” Such travellers can now purchase tickets online and a new website has recently been launched. Shantytown also offers a fully operational function venue.

“We’re lucky to have had a strong brand for 40 years. Our steam train remains a big attraction; the fact that people can travel through native rainforest on a steam train and go gold mining is an impressive attraction.

“The real reason behind our success is that we’re not a standard museum; people can come and talk to real people here. Most of the people who work here are locals, born and bred here and they are full of stories. This offers a cultural interaction visitors are looking for that other places don’t offer.”

Another factor in Shantytown’s success is the intergenerational popularity. “People who came here when they were six or 10 and got their piece of gold, are now able to bring their kids here. Those are enduring memories for people and they love being able to share those with their children.”

As a progressive local authority we recognise the value of Shantytown to our District and Region and are proud to support them.

While the South Island’s West Coast is well known for its magnificent scenery and glaciers, no visit to the area is fully complete without experiencing Shantytown.

Shantytown 310 Rutherglen Road Greymouth T (03) 762 6634 www.shantytown.co.nz — Advertising Feature

www.greydc.govt.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 75

Business Development | Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings

Blasting in with structural cover Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings Limited in Christchurch has the machinery and skills to undertake any large structural steel project and recently completed work on the new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The company was formed in 1986 by Gavin Sykes, who sold it in 1996 and then purchased it again nine years ago, along with Gavin Lawry, who also operates Pegasus Industrial Engineering.

Sykes and Lawry head a team of just seven at Maverick Sandblasting, which specialises in sandblasting and painting structural steel for large industrial and commercial projects.

The company operates from a large purposebuilt factory and head office in Izone Drive, Rolleston, where it has been located for the past three years. The factory and site includes facilities for sandblasting, arc spraying and all aspects of multi-coat painting.

“We have two forklifts on site, a Hamilton crane and a telelifter. There’s also plenty of capacity for growth,” Sykes says. In addition, Maverick has recently employed three

permanent staff on the West Coast and is in the process of establishing a permanent base in Westport.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work for the Stockton Mine with their general engineering and structural steel, as well as doing trailers, transport trailers and machinery. It’s ongoing work,” Sykes says.

Significant projects Sykes has been in the sandblasting industry for about 30 years and has a wealth of experience to offer clients. Lawry has built a successful business in Pegasus Industrial Engineering, which is a leading structural steel specialist.

Sykes says about 40 percent of Maverick’s turnover comes from Pegasus.

“We’ve just finished doing 23,000 square metres of structural steel for the covered Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

“The work took 18 months and was carried out within Maverick Sandblasting and Coating’s Christchurch factory. That was a huge contract for us but it all went well. We were on target all the time,” Sykes says.

“We’ve worked on most major industrial and commercial projects in Christchurch, including

METAL SPRAY SUPPLIERS (NZ) Ltd • Metal spray equipment (new & used), consumables & free technical advice to all our customers • Consultancy services.

• Zinc, Aluminium and Zinc-Aluminium wire in all sizes.

• Drums and Reels available.

Maverick Sandblasting & Coatings Ltd’s expertise and standard of workmanship in the field of Thermal Sprayed, long term anti corrosion coatings is outstanding.

We are very proud to be associated with Maverick Sandblasting & Coatings Ltd as the supplier of metal spray equipment and consumables to the industry.

www.metal-spray.co.nz Ph: 09 376 0463 • Fax: 09 378 1509 • Mob: 021 939 580 Free Phone: 0800 86 00 16 • jacques@metal-spray.co.nz

Maverick Sandblasting and Coating, formed in 1986, operates from a purpose-built factory and head office in Izone Drive, Rolleston.

the Civic Building and the new Graham Condon Recreation and Sports Centre in Papanui,” he says.

Maverick has not yet received any growth in work due to the earthquake, but he believes the company will be in large demand next year once the rebuild starts.

International paints and coatings Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings is renowned for its high-quality work and commitment to using the best paints and coatings available worldwide.

“We’re really on the ball with what goes on in the sandblasting and paint industry,” Sykes says. “The paint systems have changed a lot over the years. There used to be a lot of blasting and zinc work, but now it’s gone away from that to high-performance

With more than half a century of experience in the protective coatings market, Altex has proven success in high-performing heavy-duty industrial and offshore coatings technology, protecting steel, alloys and concrete from corrosion, chemical attack and abrasion. It provides coatings to protect steel structures from both conventional and hydrocarbon fires.

GB

CERTIFIED WELDING SPECIALISTS

Providing the right advice to continue Maverick Sandblasting’s growth and development.

www.pegasusengineering.co.nz

Altex Coatings specialises in the formulation, manufacture, and specification of highperformance industrial and marine protective coatings throughout Australasia and Southern Pacific regions.

STEEL FABRICATORS CO LTD

Structural Steelwork

22 Klondyke Drive Hornby, Christchurch Ph: (03) 349 7782 | Fax: (03) 349-7752 Email: steel@pegasusengineering.co.nz

Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings uses a variety of paints and coatings, including Altex, Resene and United Paints.

ALLAGHER ROTHERS

Specialists in

Proud to support Maverick Sandblasting

coatings and fire-rated paints, which are incredible products.”

Excellence and Innovation in Sheet Metal Services Proud to support Maverick Sandblasting

119 Blenheim Road, P.O. Box 8621, Riccarton, Christchurch 8440 P (03) 343 4448 F (03) 348 2262 E kendons@accounting.co.nz W www.accounting.co.nz

76 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Ph: (03) 349 7052 650 Halswell Junction Road, Christchurch 8245

www.enieng.co.nz

Phone Mobile Fax

03 348 7825 025 327 029 03 348 7624

PO Box 10254, Christchurch For a complete on site and shop fabrication contact Kevin or Kerry Pleased to support Mavericks Sandblasting

Business Development | Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings

FAX (03) 983 5550 PO Box 37346, Christchurch 8245 112 Wrights Rd, Addington Art Dept: 03 983 5502 Email: art@waterfordpress.co.nz

RURAL SOUTH ATTN: James Borthwick PRICE: $448.00+GST

AT: Apparelmaster Christchurch COLOUR: Full

RE: Delta Construction

DATE: 23-11-10

ISSUE: BS610

ARTIST: Olivia

SLE SGN:

For any advert changes or corrections please contact: Colleen Gay 03 983 5560

URGENT PRINT DATE NEARING

The Maverick factory includes facilities for sandblasting, arc spraying and multi-coat painting.

Altex Coatings Ltd has made a substantial investment and commitment to the development and licensing of world-class technology and brands.

United Paints specialises in light-industrial coatings, offering a comprehensive range of metal primers and topcoats, along with wood lacquers, solvent blends, and aqueous decorative coatings.

United Paints supplement its main product lines with a tinting service for those difficult-to-find colours. Its products are of a superior quality and are used across many sectors of New Zealand, such as agriculture, construction, fabrication, shipping and commercial factories.

United also engineer coatings to specific customer requirements. It addresses problems that can occur with common applications such as dipping, electrostatic and airless sprays, at the time of manufacture.

Consistency is paramount at United Paints and the company’s in-house quality control systems operate with very narrow limits.

Broad scope of work Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings uses these high-quality paints and coatings on a broad variety of work, from a garden trailer

Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings director Gavin Sykes.

through to projects as large as the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Dress your business

Pride in the workplace “We’ll take all forms of work on,” Sykes says.

“The bottom line is the buck stops with me.

Everyone here takes pride in their work and we have one of the best painters in New Zealand working for us. Most of my staff have been with me five or six years or more.”

When you dress your business with Apparelmaster, we take care of everything!

• Overalls • Uniforms • Mats • Drycleaning • Towels • Washroom Services • Laundry

Sykes believes the success of the company is due to its commitment to providing only the highest level of service.

phone 0800 808 820 / www.apparelmaster.co.nz

phone 0800 808 820 / www.apparelmaster.co.nz

“When we say the job is going to be ready, the job is going to be ready.

WHY go to TOWN when all you NEED is at your LOCAL

“We understand the timeframes that a lot of builders are under because of the cost of crane hire and steel movement.

That commitment makes us stand out from our competitors.”

Maverick Sandblasting and Coatings Limited 21 Izone Drive Rolleston Christchurch 7675 T (03) 347 2637 E mavericksandblasting@yahoo.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 77

Business Development | Deep South Ice Cream

Hot results

for cold award-winner Who doesn’t scream for ice cream?

That cold creamy treat that can be eaten in a cone on a hot summer’s day at the beach, or with a warm pudding during winter.

For years, delicious ice cream has been synonymous with Deep South for Cantabrians. And with a new management team, a recent prestigious award and goals to sell the ice cream in new markets, it seems nothing is stopping this passionate Kiwi company.

Premium perfection Deep South has been a staple for South Islanders for decades. The company was started in Invercargill by the Simon family, which had been in the ice cream business since the 1940s. Deep South first hit supermarkets in 1979 and from there has only become bigger and better.

Ice-cream is exquisite — what a pity it isn’t illegal.

Mike Killick and Alex Hopkins took over the company in late December 2010.

Today, the company is staffed by a team of 28, has a factory in Invercargill and another in Hornby, Christchurch.

—Voltaire

Deep South is the only premium ice cream range that is sold in two litre tubs at supermarkets. Being classified as ‘premium’ ice cream is not easy, as Killick explains. “This means that we have 12 percent milk fat or more. Every other ice cream that isn’t premium is only ten percent. Some are less and that means they can’t even call themselves ice cream, but instead are known as ‘frozen confectionery’.

— Jessi Lane Adams

“We have got a gourmet range, with flavours like ‘Baileys’ for ice cream parlours. Thinking up different ideas is really enjoyable — we’ve got some new flavours coming out next year.

We really think it’s important to keep the ‘spice’ in industry.”

Where possible, all of the ingredients in Deep South ice cream are from South Island sources

Award-winning Deep South usually does well in the annual ice cream awards, and this year it picked up its typical raft of prizes. Deep South was also given the prestigious ‘Supreme’ award, for its premium vanilla ice cream.

The judges described it as “simply the best,” commenting that it was simple and clean with perfect texture.

“To win that supreme award for our premium vanilla is pretty darn good from our perspective,” Killick says.

“Vanilla can be seen as just a plain ice cream, so for it to win a supreme award shows it is really delicious. We’re new to entering these competitions so in our approach to winning the awards, we just grabbed a tub off the line — there was no special batch made for the judges. That was perhaps a bit naïve, but we won anyway!

“The 12 percent makes the taste much more creamier. As we make ice cream in the traditional way there’s less air in our ice cream “We know we’ve got a good ice cream, based than others. Less air makes it richer and on not only our own views, but our sales and creamier again.” customer feedback — once people try it they Other than vanilla, Deep South also makes love it and they tend to be hooked. So it was all the traditional flavours such as double nice to have the judges say so too.” chocolate and hokey pokey. But within its 58 It’s not just in the deep south where Deep flavours there are also some different ones South is appreciated. The company also such as blackcurrent and liquorice. exports to China, Japan and Australia. Deep South also produces some ice cream flavours just for the Asian market, such as Green Tea.

“Delighted to be a long time supplier to Deep South” Specialists in bulk natural foods, spices, catering and bulk confectionary

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Ice cream is happiness condensed.

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos.

Shaky times

— Don Kardong

The February earthquake has taken its toll on every business in the Christchurch region in some way, and Deep South is no exception.

Although its factory in Hornby is fine, many of its outlets around the city, from ice cream parlours to supermarkets, are shut.

We’ve been crafting delicious fruit preserves, chutneys and syrups for over 40 years and local fruit is our first choice always. Now you can purchase our entire product range directly from our online shop.

www.barkers.co.nz

78 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Business Development | Deep South Ice Cream

Left: The owners of Deep South Ice Cream, Mike Killick and Alex Hopkins with the 2011 Supreme Ice Cream Award for Large Manufacturers.

NZ Ice Cream Manufacturers Association 2011 New Zealand Ice Cream awards: Deep South Ice Cream won one SUPREME AWARD,one Joint Best in Category, one Gold, and three Silver medals: ■ The Supreme Award for a Large Manufacturer — Deep South Ice Cream Vanilla ■ Best in Category (Joint): Category 4 Premium Vanilla Ice Cream — Deep South Ice Cream Vanilla ■ Gold Award: Category 4 Premium Vanilla Ice Cream — Deep South Ice Cream Vanilla

“It has been pretty tough on our sales because Christchurch is our biggest market in the South Island. But we’re coming back.”

Part of coming back involves selling into new markets. In the North Island, Deep South was recently trialled at a supermarket and it “flew out the door,” so hopefully it will soon be rolled out more extensively there.

An export manager has just been hired to work on international markets, consolidating Deep South’s position in China and Japan, and to sell into other South East Asian countries.

“There’s a lot of opportunity out there, it’s just a matter of doing it in a controlled way in terms of actually capitalising on it,” Killick says.

The packaging will be re-branded later this year. Customer feedback shows buyers think the packaging does not reflect the high quality of the ice cream, so the branding and packaging will change to reflect Deep South’s premium status.

Whatever the packaging may look like, head to the supermarket and try a tub of

Deep South’s ice cream to see what’s got professional judges and customers across the world so interested.

Deep South Ice Cream Ltd PO Box 36539 Merivale Christchurch T (03) 344 0477 E enquiries@deepsouthicecream.co.nz www.deepsouthicecream.co.nz — Advertising Feature

■ Silver Awards: Category 4 Premium Vanilla Ice Cream — Deep South Ice Cream French Vanilla Category 5 Premium Ice Cream — Deep South Ice Cream Liquorice Category 5 Premium Ice Cream — Deep South Ice Cream Blackcurrant

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ACTIVE REFRIGERATION LTD 11 Lunns Road Christchurch 8442 PHONE: (03) 339-2617 EMAIL: info@activerefrig.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 79

Business Development | Victor Hydraulic Cylinders

Setting the benchmark New Zealand’s principal manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders, Victor Hydraulics, has recently achieved the prestigious John Deere industry standard — a first for hydraulic cylinder manufacturers in New Zealand.

The achievement is the result of five years of extensive product and process improvement for Victor Hydraulics, enabling the company to thrive in a challenging economic environment.

Victor Hydraulics manufactures custom-built cylinders for specific applications. Victor products can be found across a wide range of machinery, supporting a diverse range of industries including agriculture, construction, container handling, marine, mining and transportation.

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“A few years ago, like every other company, we found ourselves in the midst of a global recession,” says general manager Willy Colenso. “While this presented a number of challenges, it also provided an opportune time for us to focus on the core values that have driven Victor Hydraulics for over 60 years — innovation, quality and delivery.

“The John Deere JDS-G223 quality standard champions customer service, design, quality, cost and on-time in-full delivery, setting a high benchmark and providing us a further point of difference in the global market.”

Europe, who share the same value base as us.

We are always looking at new ways to be able to add value to the raw material we import, to continue our success in exporting quality cylinders on the global market.

Victor Hydraulics supports a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, construction, container handling, marine, mining and transportation, and is the only hydraulic cylinder business in Australasia to be ISO9001 accredited for the design, manufacture and supply of hydraulic cylinders.

“This approach is something we practice in our own business, enabling more than one member of our team to be across each job. It’s about taking a wider, more holistic approach to developing business partnerships that underpins everything we do.”

Focus on relationships

Working closely with the agricultural sector, Victor Hydraulics has recently released its new phasing cylinder, designed specifically for agricultural applications, after successful field trials.

Colenso says one of the key factors in the company’s 60-year success is the significant emphasis placed on fostering strong partnerships with suppliers and customers.

“Application-specific, custom-built cylinders represent over 90 percent of what we do,” says Colenso. “So we are continually working with customers throughout New Zealand, Australia and further afield to understand key areas of performance that could be significantly improved through the development of new technology.

“By developing partnerships across the business, working with procurement as well the engineering and R&D team, we are able to add value throughout the process.

This ensures design and manufacturing excellence that is continually relevant to the changing market.

“We also have a number of long-term relationships with suppliers in the US and in

New agricultural cylinder

“The new design has the ability to synchronise multiple cylinders, which is critical for the optimal performance of a range of agricultural machinery and applications, from rotary cutters to seed drills,” says Colenso.

“The quality-phased system has been field tested both here and across the Tasman to ensure optimal performance in a range of climates and soil types. The unanimous results of these trials have shown excellent performance in all criteria, across a range of pasture types, making it ideal for Australian and Kiwi farming environments.

“It is just one of a range of new material trials and programmes planned by Victor Hydraulics over the next twelve months, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our industry.”

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www.pacificseals.co.nz 80 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Denis Cunningham Ltd is one of the largest stockists of welding machines, welding equipment and consumables in the South Island.

The team services what it sells, undertakes repairs to machinery, accepts trade-ins, sells second-hand products and offers a hire service.

Proud to support Victor Hydraulics Ltd 198 Springs Road | PO Box 37 226 | Hornby | Christchurch 8245 Ph: (03) 349 9353 | www.dcwelding.co.nz

Business Development | Victor Hydraulic Cylinders

“We are excited about where we are headed.

We’re only at the start of our journey, so we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Willy Colenso general manager, Victor Hydraulic Cylinders

Business growth challenges Since the start of 2010, Victor Hydraulics has experienced more than 50 percent growth and has more than doubled its staff base.

Such success has brought with it a number of challenges. “Over the last 18 months, we have experienced a significant growth curve,” says general manager Willy Colenso.

“An increase in work from our existing customers, as well as the additional demand generated by new customers, has created additional pressure on delivery. However, we are fortunate to already have the systems in place to manage this and future growth.”

With an expert in-house design and engineering team, Victor Hydraulics has developed innovative software and machine technology. It also has more streamlined ‘lean manufacturing’ work processes to ensure consistency of quality and supply, and competitive manufacturing lead times.

A skill shortage in the labour market means staffing is a different story. Currently Victor Hydraulics employs around 60 fulltime staff covering a five-day working week, two shifts per day. The company has the capacity to employ more, but has resorted to looking overseas to recruit skilled, experienced staff.

“The skill shortage is a very real issue for manufacturers in New Zealand looking for key staff,” says Colenso. “As a company that is experiencing significant growth, with work available, it is frustrating to not be able to hire to fit capacity and demand.”

Staff training and profit share Victor Hydraulics places a strong emphasis on employee retention to maintain a low staff turnover. The remuneration package also includes an employee profit share programme, a benefit Colenso believes has a positive benefit on staff loyalty and morale.

“Each member of our team contributes to the success of the company,” he says.

“When we succeed, we share that reward for hard work with staff. It’s not about encouraging staff to work harder; it’s more intangible than that. People are more engaged and ‘present’ in the business, finding solutions to issues and sharing in the good times, but also being more accepting of the bad times and building the goodwill needed to get through.”

focused on more strategic purchasing options to expand our capacity and work with other areas of industry.

“We have recently diversified to include aluminium cylinders, alongside our stock and customised steel and stainless steel options, and are concentrating on developing new innovations to remain competitive.

“We are excited about where we are headed.

We’re only at the start of our journey, so we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Victor Hydraulic Cylinders 12 Klondyke Drive Christchurch 8441 T (03) 344 2700 www.victor.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Looking forward, Colenso says Victor Hydraulics’ focus continues to be on product, process and people improvement. “We came out of the recession in a strong position and have grown our staff base considerably.

We are investing in new machinery, with significant capital plant investment, and are

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Positive future ahead Victor Hydraulics is currently in the process of attaining its ISO18001 accreditation — the internationally recognised specification for occupational health and safety management systems. “Our staff are the heart of our business, so we take health and safety very seriously,” Colenso says. “We are continually looking at new ways to improve the work environment. And it is something our customers care about. Social responsibility is becoming more and more of an issue in the global marketplace.”

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For More Information: (09) 475 9816 or sales@actibush.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 81

Business Development | Steelbro

From small beginnings in 1878 as a builder of horse-drawn vehicles such as gigs, drays and coaches, Steelbro has evolved into a multi-million dollar enterprise as a leading player in the container transport industry.

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Lift off With more than a century of experience which dates back to 1878, Christchurch company Steelbro has established itself as a major player in the global transport business.

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for new sidelifter

Steelbro used the recent economic slowdown to focus on a positive R & D drive and forge ahead with its aim to produce its latest best valued sidelifter, the New SB362 Lightweight.

A sidelifter employs two cranes fitted at each end of a vehicle to lift a shipping container onto and off the vehicle or onto a companion trailer. An important intermodal solution, the sidelifter can be used to transfer from trailer to rail wagon moving containers onto rail systems.

“We worked on developing a number of new improvements in materials selection and manufacturing technologies,” says Greg Muirsmeath, engineering manager.

“These have resulted in low tare weights and high operating flexibility, without having to sacrifice strength or durability.

“We have worked closely with our supply partners to choose low tare weight components, integrated printed circuit board controls, high pressure hydraulics and superior paint systems.

82 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

“The new SB362 Lightweight is an example of Steelbro’s latest innovation,” says Muirsmeath.

The new model can offer a 36-tonne lift capacity with a tare weight of less than nine tonnes, ensuring an increased payload and delivering improved fuel consumption. It has an outreach of over four metres to provide ease of operation.

“A superior outreach is crucial to ensure an efficient transfer of shipping containers to and from rail wagons and companion vehicles, thereby increasing the efficiency of the entire operation.” As a result, says Muirsmeath, the ratio of carrying capacity versus tare weight has been improved, “enhancing the lift-andcarry capacity significantly”.

The company has high hopes for its new sidelifter. “The Australian and New Zealand markets have already embraced the SB362 and experienced notable benefits. Europe is now also taking the unit to its heart and we are gaining market share from our competitors,” says Steve James, Steelbro GM Global Sales.

Business Development | Steelbro

a global audience. Examples include control system development projects to improve speed and safety of operation, as well as overall functionality. But Kiwi design does not exclude international knowledge.

“For example, Skoda Europe has moved to using the Steelbro sidelifter because of the superior capabilities and cost savings that it delivers,” says James.

History of success

“That’s why we are committed to using world class steel suppliers,” says Muirsmeath.

Safety paramount

The company is still a family business, proud of its Christchurch roots and still with its design and manufacturing centre based here.

The company would not have survived the many decades it has been around without investment in research and development. R&D is crucial to Steelbro. “We constantly listen to customer feedback and the Steelbro sidelifter you see today is the result of a long process of consultation and development between our design team, customers, suppliers and specialist consultants,” says Muirsmeath.

However, Steelbro is now a multi-million dollar enterprise, having evolved into a leading player in the container transport industry — a global organisation successfully operating in more than 100 countries.

Steelbro is committed to using the best quality materials and components. It chooses high strength materials and performs detailed assessments on suppliers, ensuring consistent standards are met.

Steelbro has been involved in road transport since 1878. With just £5 capital, brothers Joseph and David Steel set up Steel Bros. to build horse-drawn vehicles such as gigs, drays and coaches.

Steelbro chooses high strength steels with superior fatigue toughness from a selection of world class steel producers. The material is hardened rapidly by cooling the red-hot metal, followed by a lower heating and slow cooling to eliminate brittleness. The result is a super-tough and durable steel which is the strongest and lightest material and the best possible choice for Steelbro’s cranes and trailer chassis.

Steelbro continues to dominate its field, regularly investing in innovation and technology to ensure it remains at the top of its game and its New Zealand designs find

Steelbro has an excellent safety record thanks to the use of ongoing safety monitoring systems. “All employees are tasked with identifying potential hazards and the company works to eliminate, minimise or isolate them,” Anthony Galway says.

“Through the reporting and appropriate measures put in place, we have been able to significantly reduce ‘lost time injuries’, ‘medical time injuries’ and ‘first aid injuries’.

“This has minimised staff absence issues and helped with factory productivity levels and planning.

Feature continues on next page >>

Merging Quality, Innovation and Technology

Proud to support Steelbro Ph: (03) 344 2700 | Fax: (03) 344 2701 info@victor.co.nz | www.victor.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 83

Business Development | Steelbro “By managing our health and safety and processes, we have been able to reach tertiary level ‘ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices’ within a two year timeframe, which is a significant achievement and a credit to the full team at Steelbro,” Galway says.

International focus Although based in Christchurch, Steelbro has been supplying nations across the globe for decades now. “We’re internationally focused and always looking for opportunities for growth,” says Steve James, general manager of global sales. “We have products being sold and used in over one hundred countries.”

James believes the areas of greatest potential growth are the countries that are still developing their infrastructure due to the nature of Steelbro’s products. “We have plans to focus on those areas that require the use of containerised freight and don’t have high levels of infrastructure in place for doing so.

Steelbro is growing in those areas - mainly in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia.

“One of the most promising targets can be found in South America. The developing market of Brazil is currently one of the larger new markets that we have our sights on at the moment. We’re putting significant resources into growing in that market and we have recently established a sales, marketing and product support office there,” James says.

The company will be taking a stand at the Biennial exhibition Fenatran in Sao Paulo/ Brazil from October 24-28. Fenatran is the highly popular international transport industry trade show in Latin America.

“It’s the biggest event in the world of this type with about 55,000 visitors expected.

We are hoping to attract visitors from across Latin America to help build on the growth and awareness that Steelbro has already achieved in this part of the world,” James says.

Steelbro will had a presence in Dubai in September with a stand at the Materials Handling exhibition in UAE. The 133-year-old Christchurch company was lucky to escape the worst of the February earthquake. “The Steelbro head office was largely unaffected by the quake,” James says.

“Power and communications were quickly restored and minor building damage repaired.

Some partner suppliers experienced a greater

impact on their operations though, and this did have a knock-on effect for Steelbro with some production days lost. However, delivery dates and commitments to our customers were met which is a testament to the tenacity of the greater Steelbro team.”

Despite the dramas of recent earthquakes and aftershocks, Steelbro is forging ahead with its drive to produce the world’s best valued sidelifter. “The economic recovery was a little slow for our liking. However, we’re very positive about the future. Recent results have been encouraging. We have seen a 40 percent increase in sales in the past 18 months and

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continue to see sales growth. At the moment, Steelbro holds 70 percent of the local sidelifter market and approximately 50 percent on a global scale,” James says.

Partnering with the best The whole is enhanced by the sum of its parts, believes the Steelbro team.

To deliver a globally accepted quality product and ensure on-going support and customer satisfaction, global supplier partnerships have been developed with world recognised manufacturers. These include international leaders like Hella, Kubota, Parker, Danfoss and Hendrickson with world wide parts availability and world wide service support.

“We are currently formalising global supply agreements to create strategic alliances and cement our long term supply relationships. This will enable Steelbro to more easily source product from these suppliers in each continent,” says global supply manager Martin Maddock.

Future growth Looking forward, James says the focus at Steelbro will continue to be “our commitment to deliver innovative designed machines that set the benchmark in value for money,

reliability and competitive advantage for our customers.”

One of the strategies in achieving this has been the major focus on the company’s operations and manufacturing processes.

“Steelbro has invested much energy into lean manufacturing processes to improve flexibility and efficiency,” Anthony Galway says.

“Lean manufacturing is all about focusing on eliminating waste and excess and working with the necessary components for manufacturing. The process has been driven by internal knowledge and expertise. We’ve spent quite a lot of time improving systems.

“We’ve refined employee’s work stations and processes to create optimum cells and we’ve developed individual training plans to increase the skill base. We’re very much focused on working smarter, reducing labour hours per unit and creating a quality product.

It’s a great philosophy which works for the company, but ultimately it’s about creating value for the end customer.”

Steelbro PO Box 11-077 Sockburn 8443 T (03) 348 8499 www.steelbro.com — Advertising Feature

Transport and Motoring | What’s New

Stop/start technology takes off Considering the price of petrol anything that saves fuel has to be a good idea, right? Well Volvo certainly seems to think so as it forges ahead with its fuel saving stop/start technology.

The system Volvo calls ‘Geartronic’ is now fitted to the D3 turbo diesel in Europe.

be looking at stop/start with automatic transmissions when we can source it.”

The 2.0 litre D3 turbo diesel with the Geartronic automatic and stop/start technology cuts CO2 emission by 10g/km and uses 0.4 litres less fuel per 100km, compared to a standard automatic transmission car with the same engine.

Reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of Volvo’s drive towards zero emission strategy.

In cars with manual gearboxes the engine restarts when the driver depresses the clutch pedal. In the automatic, the engine restarts when the driver moves his or her right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

The power train with start/stop is now available in the D3 versions of four Volvo models in Europe, the S60, V60, V70 and S80.

Volvo Cars New Zealand general manager Steve Kenchington says the technology is not available to us yet as it has only just been introduced in Europe. “Fuel efficiency is important to us and we will certainly

Big cat

“It is the most effective way to cut CO2 throughout our model range in the short term. This work is running parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies,” says Peter Mertens, Volvo Car Corporation senior vice president of R&D.

Seamless response

“We have focused on achieving the same response as you get with today’s conventional automatic gearbox. The action is so seamless that it feels like the car starts accelerating immediately when the engine restarts,” he says.

The technology uses brake pressure measurement to trigger when to stop and start the engine. The start/stop system

is programmed to shut down the engine immediately when the car reaches a standstill. An electric pump keeps oil pressure up in the automatic gearbox while the engine is stopped. The system also includes an upgraded starter motor to cope with the increased number of starts.

The 2.0 litre D3 turbo diesel produces 120kW and 400Nm of torque. The five-cylinder diesel was introduced in the new S60 at the start of this year and is now available throughout Volvo’s model range.

It is, in principle, the same engine as the 2.4 litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption.

The piezo-electric fuel injectors minimise consumption with exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure which results in extremely efficient combustion.

refines its roar

After a decade or so lost in the wilderness, Jaguar’s reinvention continues to gather pace. The big British cat is introducing an all new 2.2 litre turbo diesel XF sports sedan in 2012, together with revised prices across its entire model range.

Jaguar New Zealand group general manager James Yates says negotiations with the factory in England have secured some very competitive pricing for next year’s models.

“Considering the high level of specification on all models, these cars stack up extremely well against their prestige and luxury class rivals.”

The XJ has just landed in the country and depending on the engine type; the XF and XK models will arrive here between November this year and January 2012.

The XF range will start with the new price leading 2.2 litre turbo diesel at $90,000.

This motor provides 450 Nm of torque

for effortless cruising and over taking, while being the most economical and environmentally friendly Jaguar yet.

diesel model, a naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V8 starting from $180,000 and two supercharged V8’s from $240,000.

There will also be two 3.0 litre diesel models and three petrol engine cars, a 3.0 litre V6, the 5.0 litre V8 and the range topping Supercharged XFR V8.

The XK range will start with the $175,000 Portfolio Coupe. There are also a couple of convertible models in the XK range which is headed by the 405 kW supercharged $260,000 XKR-S coupe.

Standard and long wheel base versions of the XJ luxury saloon will be available from $155,000 and include a 3.0 litre

Full specification and product details will be announced closer to the car launch.

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 85

Transport and Motoring | Cockram Motors

Kia’s ‘take notice factor’ In earthquake ravaged Christchurch it’s nice to see familiar faces forge on. Such is the case with Cockram Motors; one of the most recognisable dealerships in the city that’s called the corner of Manchester St and Moorhouse Ave home for close to 30 years.

Proud to support Cockram Kia Cnr Moorhouse Avenue and Lincoln Road,

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But it’s what the company’s done with the site that allowed it stay operating from this home during the post earthquake turmoil. The creation of a specific Kia dealership, Cockram Kia (sitting right next door to Cockram Nissan), proved equal to the barrage Mother Nature dished out.

The brand new, purpose-built Kia showroom survived the February and June events with barely a scratch and proved the makeshift home for the entire Cockram Motors operation while the Nissan depot undergoes repairs.

Fortunately the Kia dealership was designed from day one to operate within the successful framework of Cockram Nissan. A door that swings both ways, this allowed for the successful and efficient housing of the Nissan operation while it was required.

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dealership for Canterbury last year, says Kia represents more than just another brand.

“Kia uses the byline ‘The Power to Surprise’ and that illustrates what is happening with the rising brand.” The rise and rise of Kia has come by way of the company taking notice, and responding to, both the needs and wants of consumers.

Alistair Hazeldine, the dealer principal of Cockram Motors, says “The systems and procedures which have already proven a success with Nissan allow us to duplicate that success with Kia, very cost effectively.

Although Kia has its own premises, we are able to utilise our existing parts, servicing and administration departments.”

Ever since 1996, when the name Kia first arrived in our little slice of motoring paradise, it’s a brand that’s been hard to ignore. In fact it’s rapidly moved from being perceived as a Korean novelty to a serious mainstream player in a tough market. Today it stands as one of New Zealand’s fastest growing vehicle brands.

The reason for this is simple; Kia makes good vehicles that are available at great prices.

Hazeldine, who acquired the Kia franchise

“Today’s vehicle buyer is harder to please than ever before. They are extremely safety conscious; while they never want to experience six air bags going off at once, they demand that feature, along with stability control, ABS brakes and much more.

“Failing to incorporate these features is failing to meet market demand and failing to meet market demand is failing to meet your customers’ needs and expectations, which is never good business acumen,” Hazeldine says.

“When we joined with Kia, we decided while we wanted to sell the vehicles, the first objective was servicing existing Kia owners.

“Vehicles which are under the five year warranty must have repairs undertaken at an authorised dealership. Meeting the needs of those customers is of the utmost importance to us.”

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Transport and Motoring | Cockram Motors

So, why buy a Kia? The fact that Kias are reliable, well equipped, well designed, economical and safe doesn’t hurt. What actually makes a significant difference is that the brand is seriously cost effective.

“Kia is still able to produce vehicles cost effectively which is reflected in the retail price. Kia is going places. While it’s still in its infancy in New Zealand, you only have to look at the product offering to know just how much the future holds for the brand.”

balance is that the principles behind best business practice are constant; deliver a product of quality at a fair price, and then stand behind that product. That’s all fine and dandy for the ‘purchase’ itself, but the game has changed a little bit in recent years; what your 2011 consumer also pays attention to is the big picture. Basically this means environmental and corporate responsibility.

Kia is tackling this more socially than it is commercially. As a corporate entity, Kia understands that it needs to behave as if it were an individual member of any given community. This is because community involvement is a natural extension of corporate social responsibility. “In our view, the community must be healthy in order for sustainable development to be successful,” the company says.

The new Kia dealership is the first in the world (outside Korea), to showcase the new global dealership colours for the brand. “This is very much a long term opportunity for us and is illustrated by how heavily we have invested in the new dealership. Kia is an up and coming brand globally. With excellent vehicles at affordable prices, the world is Kia’s oyster.”

In New Zealand Kia operates a Road and Traffic Education Centre (RTEC), which caters for driver safety education, driver training and community road safety initiatives. It also supports Cure Kids, the face of the Child Health Research Foundation — an organisation established more than 30 years ago to address the lack of research into life-threatening childhood illnesses in New Zealand. Through Understanding the consumer these and other programmes, Kia employees The economic maxim ‘the consumer is king’ is have volunteered their time and energy to not lost on Kia. But winning over consumers in reach out and serve the community. a market as competitive and brand sensitive Serving the community’s sportspeople, Kia as the new car buyer is a tough ask no matter Motors New Zealand has also become an who you are. associate sponsor of The Halberg Trust, which celebrates New Zealand’s sporting excellence Also consumer needs and, more particularly, and endeavours to create an inclusive society. consumer wants, tend to change. A counter-

It is smart thinking, because measuring success by dollars alone is not what today’s consumer is looking for.

Environmentally friendly

In recent years consumers have moved from taking an interest in environmental awareness to demanding it. So it’s just as well that Kia’s range of diesel powered vehicles meet the stringent Euro 4 emission standards.

In the effort to create an alternative fuel vehicle, Kia is currently designing massproduced hybrid electric vehicles, which combine electric and fossil fuel powered engines. As a mid-long term strategy, Kia will focus on developing fuel cell vehicles with zero greenhouse gas emissions to replace current fossil fuel vehicles.

Feature continues on next page >>

This standard originated in Europe test’s vehicles on the level of emissions that they produce and rates them accordingly. It is no easy feat to meet these standards but Kia’s significant investment in diesel technology has allowed the brand to meet these requirements.

Kia has committed a significant amount of time, money and resources into developing vehicles that will reduce their impact on the environment. Its first step was to establish four R&D directives for the Environmental Technology Research Center to head its research and eco-friendly efforts: ■ To develop alternative fuel vehicles and expand eco-friendly technology

Novus are pleased to be associated with Cockram Kia

■ To develop efficient engines, exhaust systems and transmissions that reduce gas emissions ■ To improve fuel economy through the application of new technology and lightweight bodies ■ To increase recycling based on LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).

66 Gasson St 0800 103 535

Central City Tyres are pleased to be associated with COCKRAM KIA

New tyres • Wheel alignments • Free puncture repairs Quality used imports • Mag wheels • Batteries 4 Wheel drive tyre specialists • European tyre specialists OPEN Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm, Sat Morning: 9am-12pm Ph: (03) 379 4367 | Fax: (03) 365 8825 | Mobile: 027 548 3132 26 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch | www.centralcitytyres.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 87

Transport and Motoring | Cockram Motors

Kia’s new movers ■ Picanto The smallest five-door Kia was released only weeks ago delivers great fuel economy, yet features superior safety, sporty design and parking capability.

■ Rio This compact 5-door hatch offers economy and style, while maintaining versatility.

Designed for city living, the Rio is the small car with the big personality to get you round

in style. Packed with features, the all-new 2012 Rio is in the showroom now.

■ Cerato This stylish 2.0 litre number comes in a sedan,

coup (called Koup) and hatchback — so the choice is yours. With sleek lines the Kia Koup is a sporty, dynamically designed car for those who want to play. All three are packed with features, so just choose the body shape that suits your style.

■ Soul This recent arrival to the New Zealand market comes blazing with attitude. With its rebellious and distinctive styling, wrap around A-pillar, robust front views, high-tech features and big time fun interior, the Soul will always get plenty of attention.

■ Optima In terms of design the Optima is perhaps the ultimate four door family saloon and is quite the looker with its sporty stance, while at the same time being big inside to deliver plenty of practicality.

■ Carnival The Carnival is the perfect people mover.

The extra roomy interior boasts versatile removable seating which gives you the option of seating two to eight people or creating a large storage area. It’s got all the kit you need and more to move not just you, but whole heaps of you.

■ Sportage This is perhaps the modern face of Kia; from the sporty low profile roof, the slim-line glass house to the flared guards and sculpted door panels, the look is unmistakably Kia. It is young, designed well and built for today’s life styler and available in petrol and diesel, 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive — all with a 6-stage automatic transmission.

■ Sorento R You might call it the Sportage’s big brother.

This new generation SUV is stylish and sleek, has advanced interior features and plenty of muscle up front. It’s available with either a 2.2 Diesel or 2.4 Petrol engine, with a 6-Stage automatic or 6-Speed manual transmission — again in 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive.

■ K2900 Gotta move stuff? Well the K2900 is your answer. The long wheel base, sturdy 2.9 litre turbo diesel engine, steel drop side flat deck and a massive payload, makes this a light truck that can handle surprisingly large loads.

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Transport and Motoring | Cockram Motors

Moorhouse home of motoring Be it Nissan or Kia, Cockram Motors on the corner of Manchester Street and Moorhouse Ave has got you covered. The range includes economical sedans and hatchbacks, larger family cars, sports utility vehicles, sports cars and light commercial vehicles in both 2WD and 4WD.

But no matter how effective a business’ systems might be, Alistair says attitude and culture are the glue that success often rests on, binding all the elements together. “Trust, courage, belief and passion,” are the four things he attributes his success to and he believes all good businesses and business people should possess these traits.

Finding the perfect fit Whether you are after a sports utility vehicle, zippy sports car or a trusty family car, Cockram Motors has the perfect solution for you.

No matter how organised, motivated and ■ His inspired a company’s management might be, Alistair says for guys who like to get out and be active, the perfect vehicle for the lads Alistair believes firmly that success or failure would have to be a Kia Sportage SUV. There is enough room to chuck the boys in the is in no small way determined by those on the back seat, tie the snowboards to the top and rack the mountain bikes on the back and front line. He says that the staff at Cockram head out on an adventure. It’s economical, trendy, robust and can take the hard knocks.

Motors are the most important aspect of the company. He says although it’s not always ■ Hers simple, looking after your staff is a primary When it comes to something for the girls, Alistair recommends a reliable, convenient The formula for success is simple; people want role and basic, good business. and trustworthy vehicle. If you just want a small, economical run-around for town, then a company they can trust — one that delivers the latest Picanto fits the bill. Or if you’re taking the kids (and all their gear) to school, Arguably one measure of how a company exceptional service and products at the right sports and out and about, then the slightly larger Kia Rio is for you. looks after its staff, but also of the price. “Our team goes the extra mile every competency of the company, is staff time to ensure expectations are exceeded.”

■ Ours longevity. There’s no substitute for experience What can fit the whole family, in style and luxury and also be capable of towing the Ensuring these expectations are exceeded and many of Cockram Nissan’s crew have boat, caravan? Well the Kia Sorento 7-seater SUV is the vehicle for you. Ideal as a family is not always easy, but the basic philosophy been involved with the dealership for a car for around town or going on a family holiday. A reliable, efficient, trustworthy is relatively simple. Sound business principles number of years. vehicle powerful enough to tow the boat, but easy enough to handle, which means with the consumer in mind are what works both mums and dads can drive it. Plus it’s a car the kids want to be seen in.

Not only has Alistair been there 31 years, the and he says with the changing economic sales manager has 20 years experience, the landscape, you have to change your business service manager 28 years and administration practices to ensure your business continues has been with the dealership for four years, passionate about what they do and delivering manager 20 years. The parts manager, who to thrive. has travelled the world working for some big the best in automotive knowledge, products names including Porsche and Mercedes Benz and services.” running Parts Departments. “These people Cockram Motors is not just a building,” he know their stuff!” states. “We are people who have passion, Being well organised and maintaining a courage and are loyal. The ‘people’ are positive outlook, while at the same time Cockram Motors.” being realistic about the future is vital, he Cockram Motors says, no matter what external influences are Cnr Manchester St and Moorhouse Ave prevalent. And ensuring every member of the Christchurch team knows their role, and delivers it with T (03) 366 6644 passion, is at the heart of Cockram Nissan’s www.cockrammotors.co.nz success. “Every person at Cockram Motors is — Advertising Feature The privately owned dealership is well known for its range of vehicles, services and after sale support. The dealership is well regarded as the top Nissan provider in the South Island, if not New Zealand, and Alistair Hazeldine says it’s because they are a trusted name within this country.

Ali Arc Industries Ltd is proud to support Cockram Nissan – an iconic Canterbury business moving forward in these challenging times.

Ali Arc Industries 449 Heads Road, Wanganui 0800 4 bullbars www.aliarc.co.nz

www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 89

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www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 91

Agribusiness | Rural Livestock

Strong leader in stock field Rural Livestock is a leading stock and station company focused exclusively on servicing its rural clients throughout the South Island.

The company was established in Canterbury in 1988, followed by the formation of an Otago company in 1995. These two operations were successfully merged three years ago.

Today Rural Livestock employs 52 staff, including 46 specialised agents throughout the South Island. These agents have detailed knowledge across all areas of the livestock industry, including sheep, beef, dairy, deer and stud stock.

Rural Livestock buys and sells livestock on behalf of clients throughout the South Island.

It is able to provide auctioneering, valuations, clearing sales and finance. The company also deals in feed supplements, such as hay, baleage and silage, as well as organising grazing for dairy, sheep and beef clients when required.

Rural Livestock has strong affiliations with meat processors for the procurement of all prime stock. Having a strong network of agents, with contacts in the North Island, means Rural Livestock has the ability to shift store stock when certain areas are faced with adverse climatic conditions.

The company’s experienced administration team operates out of one office based centrally in Christchurch, allowing a costeffective business structure delivering quality service to clients.

We provide accountancy and advisory services to businesses.

We are proud to be associated with Rural Livestock Ltd and to have assisted with their growth and development.

Rural Livestock staff at an auction at the Little River ewe fair.

Specialty knowledge Rural Livestock chairman John Faulks says the company has huge market knowledge in all areas of the rural and livestock industry.

“We aim to add value to clients through our knowledge of pricing and when and where to sell. We have a strong auction business throughout the South Island,” he says.

Rural Livestock Finance Ltd provides flexible seasonal stock finance for South Island farmers.

Rural Livestock Finance Ltd Level 4, Air New Zealand Building 18 Princes Street PO Box 5830 | DUNEDIN 9058 Free Ph: 0800 RURALL (0800 787255) Ph: (03) 471 9162 | Fax: (03) 477 2758 Email: james@rlf.co.nz or contact your RLL stock agent www.rurallivestock.co.nz

52 Cashel Street, Christchurch Ph: (03) 374 4220 | Fax: (03) 374 4230

“The big thing since the merger of our Canterbury and Otago operations three years ago is that now we have large-scale coverage of the whole South Island, with a very strong network of quality agents in the dairy, sheep, beef and deer sectors.”

Rural Livestock competes against a number of small livestock companies, as well as PGG Wrightsons, which is the largest livestock company in the South Island.

“The way we compete is through our very strong focus on our clients and our staff,” Faulks says. “We have good people and we have very strong relationships through those people with our clients. We’re able to make decisions on a quick basis and we know our industry inside and out.

“We come from that industry. We don’t deviate away from our core business — we focus on that and we make it a specialty.

All those other livestock companies have other businesses around them that take their eye off the ball. We don’t. We concentrate on livestock.”

“… other companies have businesses around them that take their eye off the ball. We don’t. We concentrate on livestock.”

John Faulks

Rural Livestock chairman

“Those skills are very hard to replicate and our agents know how those stock markets operate and what is the best way for our clients to sell their stock and receive the best remuneration they can.”

Many of Rural Livestock’s agents are in the 30 to 50-year age group and have considerable experience. They live in the areas they work in and are familiar with the people and issues in their rural communities.

“They have families, they have the right morals and loyalties and relationship-building attributes that service their clients well.

For the past few years Rural Livestock has operated a programme of employing and training young agents, who are starting to come through the system now as highly skilled and knowledgeable employees.

“That was an investment that is starting to come forward and go ahead for us. We have a good age mix starting to flow through as our senior guys start to retire.”

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Ph: (03) 379-7223 92 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

Agribusiness | Rural Livestock

At A Glance | Grant Jenkins Contracting

Praise-worthy painters

Above: Rural Livestock undertakes clearing sale auctions for clients.

Left: Rural Livestock auctioneering staff at the Canterbury Park Saleyards.

Flat management Rural Livestock has deliberately shied away from creating a corporate image or structure that disassociates the company from its clients. “We’re New Zealand-owned and operated with a very flat management structure,” Faulks says.

“Our management and our board are very accessible to our staff and clients. Our clients are not just a number, they’re a person we want to respect and conduct a relationship with to make sure they prosper in their business. We focus on being local and what is good for our clients and our staff.”

While Rural Livestock has been affected by the economic recession, Faulks says its highs and lows tend to closely follow those of its rural clients.

“If they have a good season, we have a good season — we’re in it together,” he says.

“Our business model is there and I believe it will stand the test of time. We don’t have big overheads and a heavy middle management sector.”

Rural Livestock is working hard to increase its market share and gain new clients through its efficient low cost structure. The company is expanding out into South Island areas that it previously has not covered.

Faulks says Rural Livestock’s reputation is growing in areas such as Southland, where it has set up a livestock operation in the

past three years, while its dairy team now numbers 11 throughout the South Island..

“There’s a lot of growth yet in certain areas we can move into and also we have a lot of areas we can grow in and reach our full potential. We haven’t really pushed ourselves — we’ve been quiet achievers and have relied on word of mouth through the quality of our services. A key in our growth has been our team and auctioneers’ ability at the saleyards throughout the South Island.”

Positive outlook Faulks says the coming season is looking good for farmers, who are feeling extremely positive. “Farmers are looking forward to this year. Ewes have scanned well, the dairy payout is good, the lamb schedule is looking strong, beef is ok and wool is up.

“The biggest thing for me is we have a very strong brand and a reputation for being a trustworthy company. Integrity is a very big part in who we are and how we do business.”

Rural Livestock Limited Unit 7B 303 Blenheim Road Christchurch T (03) 348 1040 F (03) 348 1082 E rll@rll.co.nz www.rurallivestock.co.nz

It’s always nice to receive praise; sometimes for no other reason than how it makes you feel. But in business it can mean much more. It confirms that you’re heading down the right track by delivering quality work, and in doing so, ensuring clients’ get what they pay for — and then some.

Such is the case with Timarubased business Grant Jenkins Contracting Ltd, an award-winning Registered Master Painter that’s received more than its fair share of praise.

As the overall winner at the Master Painter of the Year Awards 2011, Grant Jenkins Contracting can handle any renovation or special project. Along with taking the overall title, Grant Jenkins was also the Category Winner for Interior Residential Rework, Best Commercial Wall Coverings and Decorative Specialty Paint Finishes. And just for good measure was the runner up in the Commercial Rework Interior division; that’s a total of five awards, including the big one — overall winner.

# # # #

#

takes care of all the things a customer might otherwise worry about.

A host of happy clients and steadily increasing collection of Master Painter of the Year awards really says it all.

Grant Jenkins Contracting 6 Victoria Street Timaru 7910 T (03) 688 8630 F (03) 688 8690 E grant@grantjenkins.co.nz — Advertising Feature

The foundations for this success date back to Grant Jenkins serving his apprenticeship in his father’s company R B Jenkins Ltd. In 2005 Grant and his wife Silvia decided it was time to go it alone, and formed Grant Jenkins Contracting. With experience and success in the decorating business both here and overseas, the foundations for success had been laid. The move proved a success and Grant and Silvia saw their business rapidly grow, so teamed up with Brett Jenkins, Grant’s brother. Brett is now the company manager, and along with project manager Chris Clark, they have a team of 22 to handle all trade and administration duties.

Six years on and the company has created its own success by delivering quality workmanship; be it wallboard fixing and stopping, plastering, painting and decorating, or the airless spraying of roofs.

One key to delivering successful outcomes is ensuring clients get what they want. Chris, as project manager, maintains close contact with customers throughout each project and

— Advertising Feature

wards 2011 f the Year A o er nt ai P r Maste r Overall Winne ior — ework Inter Residential R Winner Category cial — Best Commer s ng ri ve o c l Wal ner Category Win F inishes cialty Paint pe S ve ti ra o Dec Winner — Category erior — Rework Int Commercial er up Runn

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Proud to support Grant Jenkins Contracting 26 Cains Terrace | PO Box 145 Timaru, 7910 Ph: (03) 687 9190 | Fax: (03)684 8381 Email: thegrosvenor.reception@gmail.com www.eightwired.co.nz

The team at Community College South Canterbury are proud of their relationship with Grant Jenkins Contracting.

Congratulations on winning Master Painter of the year 2011.

Strathallan House | 20 Elizabeth Street | Timaru | 7910 Ph: (03) 684 6702 | Fax: (03) 684 6940 | info@southcanterbury.comcol.ac.nz

www.comcol.ac.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz October/November 2011 | 93

94 | October/November 2011 www.canterburytoday.co.nz

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