Celebrating Northland
BUSINESS
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Celebrating Northland
Photos: Dawn Dutton photography
BUSINESS
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Celebrating Northland
BUSINESS
THE WORD RESILIENCE
ARRIANE CHRISTIE
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ationally, business confidence has been stable over the last month after taking a hit earlier in the year but bouncing back slightly in early October, according to the ANZ Business Outlook data. But is the feeling the same in Northland as it is around the country? ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner says, “now that the wage subsidy has wound up and the lost summer for tourism looms large, business resilience will be tested. But it’s fair to say the starting point looks much more positive than looked likely a few months ago.” Tourism is an important industry in Northland and director of Dive! Tutukaka Jereon Jongejans says the uncertainty of closed borders is affecting confidence in the sector but domestic tourism can provide some relief. “Roughly 80% of tourism in Northland is domestic so a lot of tourism and hospitality businesses can take confidence from that. And we expect to see an increase in domestic tourism because people can’t go overseas,” Jongejans says. “There are a lot of different factors which mean we don’t know how it is going to play out and that affects confidence, so we are trying to adapt and change and find new realities in a changing world,” Jongejans adds. Northlander and Senior Economist at Infometrics, Brad Olsen, has some concerns about his home region but says it has shown incredible resilience and is also hopeful that Northland can make changes and bounce back in what has been a tough year for the region. “There’s potential for provincial areas like Northland to benefit and change the way they operate, to take some risk and be innovative and create jobs for the community,” Olsen says. Olsen agrees a strong primary sector can be beneficial to Northland’s business confidence.
There is always another breathtaking view of The Poor Knights during a trip aboard the Dive Tutukaka boat Perfect Day.
Brad Olsen, Northlander and Senior Economist at Infometrics
“There are some strong sectors including primary industry, dairy and horticulture, they are doing well and that’s keeping people in work,” Olsens says. “On the other hand, there are other challenges already present, like high levels of benefit dependency. We already had issues connecting people with work
and jobs prior to Covid. That’s been exacerbated now,” Olsen adds. In the October ANZ Business Confidence report, Zollner reported that the construction sector was the most buoyant, and that seems to be the case in Northland too. Many construction companies in the north have fully booked schedules for a year or two in advance and are struggling to find staff to fill the gaps. With the construction sector looking strong, Jongejans says the future could be bright for Northland in the tourism and hospitality sectors too with current construction projects bringing more infrastructure that will attract visitors. “The Hundertwasser, Hihiaua and Okura Landing projects will certainly add to Whangarei being a destination and give us the potential to host more events and conferences which will increase visitor numbers and be a great confidence booster for the industry,” Jongejans says.
“There’s potential for provincial areas like Northland to benefit and change the way they operate, to take some risk and be innovative and create jobs for the community,” Olsen says.
While 2020 cannot be considered a normal year, elections and their outcomes have historically had an impact on business confidence. With the continuation of the Labour Government, Jongejans thinks business in Northland can continue to work with the government to maintain some stability. “Government policies could help ease uncertainty so we need to keep working closely with the government so we can move forward with a certain level of confidence,” Jongejans says. The word resilience has been tossed around a fair bit in 2020 in a lot of different capacities and it is no different when it comes to businesses. Those who can be resilient and adapt with the changing times will find the most confidence in what the future may bring them.
Bennett & Associates Chartered Accountants
PROUD TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE NORTHLAND BUSINESS COMMUNITY NORTHLAND owned, focused and operated accounting firm providing services in: •Audit, Investigation & Forensic Research •Office of the Auditor General Approved School Auditor •Small to Medium Size Direct Business Support and Tax Services •Business Recovery, Turn Around & Insolvency Management •Maori Business Advisory & Mentoring
Contact us at: 57 Clyde Street, PO Box 627, Whangarei 0140 | Ph: (09) 438 2312 | Fax: (09) 438 2912 Email: info@bennettca.co.nz | Web: www.bennettca.co.nz
Pure Café Pure Café opened 17th August 2020, a light and spacious building attached to the new Ministry of Education Offices on Kaka Street. and skilled to make the best coffee consistently every time. Our green beans are also sustainably and ethically sourced which coincides with our passion towards a more sustainable and low waste planet. As we want to encourage sustainable living here at Pure, we do our part by sorting waste, recycling and composting, and we encourage our customers to reduce, reuse and recycle. So come on down and say hello to your new Pure team on Kaka Street, we look forward to meeting you.
Join our fitness family! Aligned Movement is a bodypositive boutique fitness studio right in the heart of Kerikeri. Whether you’re trying to fit in some time for yourself or working on relieving those daily aches and pains, we are your movement experts ready to help you achieve your goals Group Fitness Classes | Personalised Private Lessons Weekly Burlesque Classes
11 Cobham Road | Kerikeri | 021 022 45016
www.alignedmovement.co.nz
Congratulations CONGRATULATIONS TO All the winners and finalists that participated in the Northland Business Champions for 2020. For future champions looking to enhance their business skills?
Ope ning H ours : Tue-F ri 10-4p m, S at 9 - 1pm
Creative industries champion 2020 “The little gallery on a big mission” photo credit: Dawn Dutton Photography
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ur concept is to keep food simple but of premium quality. Where possible, we source from local suppliers and use locally grown fresh produce to create a menu with variety to suit everyone. This includes an array of gluten free, low sugar, vegan and keto options that are incorporated into a modern yet refreshing menu that we change regularly. To match this we use Altura’s award winning Altitude Coffee Blend, and our staff are well trained
NorthTec has the options to tailor study around your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to do one paper at a time or study online – NorthTec’s got what you need. p: 0800 162 100 e: study@northtec.ac.nz www.northtec.ac.nz
WINNERS AND FINALISTS Congratulations to the Westpac Northland Business Champion winners and finalists Photos: Dawn Dutton Photography
Westpac Northland Business Champions - Supreme Leadership
WINNER
Jessie Rose Boutique, Forever Love Caskets and Inspire Art Studio
Dale Edwardson, Paul Edwardson, Angie Edwardson, Jessie Rose, Paul Visser (Sponsor)
“Jessie Rose and her business stood out because of the complexity and success of the response to Covid-19 and other 2020 disasters. Forced into the world of online teaching for the delivery of painting classes, she changed her ways of doing business and expanded on those learnings to build new product offerings and outlets for her creativity while at the same time providing those stuck at home an outlet for their feelings around Covid restrictions and a way to continue something ‘normal’. A significant decline in the death rate and changes to the way funerals were conducted led to changes and new opportunities in her casket decorating business. Rather
NorthTec Northland Business Champion - Business Person (Individual)
FINALISTS • Steve MacMillan – Northpower • Jennifer Andrews – Regent Training
Northland Document Solutions Northland Business Champion - Micro Business (1-3FTE)
FINALISTS • Wild Ivy Flowers and Gifts • KeriCentral Hostel
Henderson Reeves Northland Business Champion Small Business (4-8FTE)
FINALISTS • Blush Beauty Therapy • Heads Up Adventures
Marsden Maritime Holdings Northland Business Champions - Medium Business (10-24FTE)
FINALISTS • BestStart Maunu Village
Vodafone Northland Business Champion - Large Business (25+FTE)
FINALISTS • Northern Districts Security • The Jetsons Group, incorporating No 8 Restaurant, the Cove Café, the Dune Mangawhai Restaurant and Bar, and The Quay • Kensington Pharmacy
Accident Compensation Corporation Workplace Safety Champion
FINALISTS • Hone Heke Lodge • Jennifer Andrews from Regent Training Centre
than being overwhelmed by a personal tragedy, she directed her response into the establishment of a space in her premises where others with similar experiences could come without judgement or expectation. She took time to reflect on the business, where the strengths are and where she could diversify and improve – and took action on what she found. Every dark experience was turned into a positive and the business thrived as a result, with all of her activities based on sound ecological principles. In Jessie’s words: “The positive from Covid is that it has validated that what we are doing is working and impacts people’s lives. We have made a difference.”
WINNER
Jessie Rose from Jessie Rose Boutique, Forever Love Caskets and Inspire Art Studio Jon Smith (Sponsor), Jessie Rose
WINNER
Jessie Rose Boutique, Forever Love Caskets and Inspire Art Studio Cameron Thompson (Sponsor), Jessie Rose, Angie Edwardson, Marcela Thompson (Sponsor)
WINNER
David’s Pharmacy Caoilfhinn Metcalfe, Lacey Owen, David Postlewaite, Christine Murphy, Vicki Finlayson, Valerie MacKenzie, Fiona Platt, Thomas Biss (Sponsor)
WINNER
NorthAble Matapuna Hauora Felix Richter (Sponsor), Noel Matthews, Bronwyn Collette, Vanessa Jennings, Alistair Drake, Dean Abel
WINNER
PAK’nSAVE Whangarei Howard Gillies (Sponsor), Todd Leathem, Lillian Leathem, Grant Bennett, Andrea Bennett
WINNER
Aligned Movement Peter Oxley (Sponsor), Lauren Frias, Scott Farrand, Alyssa Farrand, Sam Turner, Todd Horton
Top Energy Not for Profit Champion
WINNER
FINALISTS
Northland Arts Centre Georgina Joyce, Jessy Frost, Zoe Quayle, Julia Tapp, Russell Shaw (Sponsor)
• Rugby For Life Community Partnership Programme
Northland Regional Council Environmental Business Champion
WINNER
HeadsUp Adventures Bronson Young, Luke Gill, Angela Gill, Bianca Watts, Lucie McCue, Warren Gill, Penny Smart (Sponsor)
FINALISTS • Gathered • Kohatu Development Ltd • Digital Wings
Northland Inc Innovation Champion
WINNER
FINALISTS
Aligned Movement Todd Horton, Scott Farrand, Alyssa Farrand, Lauren Frias, Sam Turner, Sarah Peterson (Sponsor)
• Best Start Maunu Village • Digital Wings
The Northern Advocate Northland Business Hall of Fame Inductee
INDUCTEE
Sandra McKersey Sandra McKersey, Charmaine Soljak (Sponsor)
Creative Northland Creative Industries Champion
WINNER
FINALISTS
MD Gallery Megan Dickinson, Hinurewa te Hau (Sponsor)
• Jessie Rose Boutique, Forever Love Caskets and Inspire Art Studio • Wild Ivy Flowers and Gifts
More FM Customer Choice Champion
FINALISTS • • • • •
WINNER
Jessie Rose Boutique, Forever Love Caskets and Inspire Art Studio Jessie Rose, Erena Miller (Sponsor)
Wild Ivy Flowers and Gifts Blush Beauty Therapy KeriCentral Hostel Aligned Movement David’s Pharmacy
Ministry of Social Development He Poutama Taitamariki Champion (Youth Employee of the Year)
WINNER
Jared Johnston from Northland Scaffolding Chris Douglas (Employer), Jared Johnston, Kim Ashby (Sponsor)
FINALISTS • Anahera Pickering – Whangarei Youth Space
SPONSORS Award Host & Major Sponsor
Media Partners
Category Sponsor & Partners
Partner Sponsors
Event Partners rs
NorthChamber wishes to thank Westpac, awards host and major sponsor of Westpac Northland Business Champions, along with all of the media, category, partner and event sponsors involved in the 2020 awards. For more information, visit:
www.northlandbusinesschampions.co.nz
Celebrating Northland
BUSINESS
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“Second chance”, or never really had a “first chance” learners? Regent Training Centre (RTC), believes that people in New Zealand all have the skills and attributes to succeed inside of them already; however, they might just need some support in realising this, and some direction in how to apply those strengths in positive and empowering ways for the greater good of our communities.
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Northland started and owned company, RTC has been in operation for nearly 40 years providing education and employment support to students and clients – many of whom have significant challenges to deal with, and all who have yet to achieve academically. RTC seeks to provide a safe space (culturally, physically, mentally, spiritually) for students, and to provide them with a reliable and consistent adult/Tutor who 100% believes in their ability to achieve and thrive. To do this they adapt their teaching and support methods to the needs of each individual student, not
the other way around. They can do this because all staff seek to see, hear and know each taitamariki individually to be able to empower them in a way that they each value, and to allow rangatahi to succeed in a way that carries significance to them. Many of RTC’s students have been previously excluded from school for varying reasons, and a significant further number of students have faced bullying to the point that their family has felt it necessary to change their place of education. All come together, bonded by shared values across the 6 campuses (Northland and Auckland) to re-engage
Regent Training Centre Ltd wishes to extend congratulations to the finalists and winners at the Westpac Business Awards in the following categories: NORTHTEC NORTHLAND BUSINESS CHAMPION – BUSINESS PERSON (INDIVIDUAL) WINNER: Jessie Rose from Jessie Rose Boutique Foreverr FINALISTS: Steve Macmillan from Northp power
and our own Jennifer Andrews
ACC WORKPLACE SAFETY CHAMPION WINNER: Aligned Movement FINALISTS: Hone Heke Lodge and our own Jennifer Andrews
We are honoured to have been shortlisted to the final 3 in both categories with you! Our mission at Regent Training Centre (RTC) is to positively impact communities one taitamariki at a time, so that our young people have choice and control over their futures.
Ka aitaia | Kerikeri | Whangarei | Auck kland
WWW.RTC.CO.NZ (0800 734 368)
with education by way of practical training, predominantly in workshops, and raising life skills under the guidance and support of Tutors who have a real heart for taitamariki. Students are able to raise their literacy and numeracy capabilities in order to gain NCEA by way of relevant application, for example trigonometry is taught in the building programme when students undertake footings for decks, and automotive students gain competency in speaking to groups by taking turns to run daily class toolbox meetings. In 2022, RTC students and clients will further enhance their lives and impact more positively upon their communities by building new homes, as part of their training, to house needy whānau, on behalf of Far North Holdings (FNHL) and the Far North District Council (FNDC) in
Kaikohe. FNDC now holds a Community Housing approval, so RTC will be supplying the council at cost with housing that is desperately needed in Northland. As part of the Ngawha Innovation and Education Park (NIEP) RTC students in the mid-North will have access to a multi-million-dollar purpose-built campus that also includes internal bays for building 6 houses, where students enrolled upon levels 1, 2 and 3 Building Programmes will be training, under the guidance and supervision of trained Builders/Tutors. If you know of a young person aged 15-19 years old who could benefit from gaining qualifications and life skills, then support them by giving RTC a call on 0800 REGENT, there are no fees or costs to the students – and that also includes transport and lunch for eligible students.
Celebrating Northland
BUSINESS
Business Champions encouraged to keep striving for Excellence in 2021 The Westpac Northland Business Champions 2020 awards were a departure from the usual Business Excellence awards held by NorthChamber over the past 42 years.
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enamed the Westpac Northland Business Champions 2020, this one-off special event was a response to the triple impact of drought, Covid-19 and floods that had an impact on the Northland business landscape in 2020. The usual Format for the Business Excellence Awards relies on businesses entering themselves and working through an extensive entry process that uses the internationally renowned Baldridge Excellence framework. NorthChamber Sales Manager, Rebecca Varley supports businesses to complete the Baldridge entries, “There is huge value in going through the Excellence framework, it is literally a warrant of fitness for business, hugely valuable to everyone that enters, but it does require some effort to complete, it has a strong focus on financials and process. Seeing a community already under pressure we decided to take a different approach to the awards this year.” The 2020 event offered a strong community focus, pathway to entry was simple, through public nominations and the emphasis included soft skills and community stories. What we learned was
NorthChamber Board Member Mike Kanji with Auriole and Ralph Ruka
adversity often brings innovation and resilience, it can cement relationships, throw up unlikely heroes and change the way we approach business. NorthChamber CEO Steve Smith explains the process further, “based off the number of valid nominations put through by members of the public a shortlist of finalists was drawn up, then the independent judges, had the tough job of choosing winners. There were some great stories, but we still needed the judges to review the finalists through a business lens
Breakfasts held around Northland for Champion nominees allowed for one- on-oen interaction and business networking, and will be one of the ‘new ideas’ carried through to 2021s Business Excellence Awards.
The NorthChamber Team
and find the evidence that substantiated the nominations. What we discovered is many of the qualities highlighted in nominations were underpinned by sound business practice.” The journey of the 2020 awards has in some way reflected the journey of so many local businesses. The changed circumstances required NorthChamber to take stock, review the mood in the community and respond accordingly, this had been the experience of so many in business too. Adaptability and speed of responsiveness has been a key factor in business engagement and sustainability. Overall positive feedback from nominees, sponsors and stakeholders alike has shown that the event and its process achieved its goals. A key factor for NorthChamber was level of engagement, with entries up 308% on the previous year, from 60 to 245, combined with the Business Breakfasts and the more intimate nature of storytelling, there has been a valuable opportunity to really get close to the business community. 203 of the 245 businesses who took part had not been
Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai and Mike Reagan
Awards events manager Kate Blundell of Collective Concepts, marked her 10th Awards anniversary this year.
involved n the Business Excellence Awards for the past three years, if ever. From a Chamber perspective this opportunity to engage, support and hear from these Northland businesses has been invaluable. The question ‘What next?” remains for NorthChamber just as it does for the wider business sector. The hardest part remains the ‘not knowing’, that has been the strong theme of this year and continues into 2021. For NorthChamber and the awards process, the plan is to go back to the Business Excellence Awards using a more streamlined version of the Baldridge Excellence criteria. This years’ event has been a catalyst for some refreshed thinking, the engagement with 2400 plus members of the public who made nominations, the 245 businesses who were nominated, challenges thrown up by Covid-19, shifts in how we do business and where the priorities sit, it has all been a journey of discovery. NorthChamber are excited at the possibilities brought about by the 2020 awards process, the key learnings, and look forwards to once again showcasing business excellence in our community in 2021. To the nominees, finalists and Champions of 2020 Northchamber extend heartiest congratulations, you made us smile, cry and smile again, you reminded us all of that incredible community we live and work in. To the sponsors and stakeholders who ran with us, who saw the vision for a changed event and understood that we needed to be reminded of the good, and the hopeful, and that a night out with friends in posh frocks and best suits was ‘good medicine’, our sincere thanks and acknowledgement of your resilience and ‘stickability’, thank you. Finally none of this could have happened without the participation of our northland public, who got behind the businesses, shared their stories and took time to shine a light on the work being carried out, often unseen. Thank you.
Championing Business in Northland P 09 430 4350 F 09 438 6420 E mail@hendersonreeves.co.nz 96 Bank St, PO Box 11, Whangarei 0140, New Zealand
www.hendersonreeves.co.nz
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Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth Lawyers Limited
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Celebrating Northland
BUSINESS
INNOVATE JUDGING PROCESS
2020
will go down in history for so many negative events but we must remember more than ever the great things that happened and celebrate those achievements. Remember our glass is “half full” and, on the way up. Or maybe not on the Gala Night by all accounts. This year should be seen as the year of resilience. NorthChamber used this theme in the Westpac Northland Business Awards as an opportunity to showcase that. So it’s a case of same, but different!
With a change of format this year finalists achieved their exalted position following great support from public with nominations and comments and subsequent Chamber shortlisting. To focus on resilience, judging comprised set questions around agility and change in the areas of; • Leadership • Staffing • Clients/customers • Business sustainability and resilience
Karen Amos
Greg Atkins Convenor of Judges
Portfolio Manager, Westpac Bank
Director at BDO Northland Limited, Chartered Accountants
Karen has worked with Westpac for 11 years and is
Greg has been Convenor of Judges for Westpac
and developing a group of Credit Analysts. Previously
Northland Business Excellence Awards for the past eight years. Greg is a Chartered Account, focused on helping businesses and their teams grow and be successful. Outside work, Greg is a Board Trustee at Whangarei Boys’ High School and has held previous Trustee, Board member and honorary positions in the community.
currently a People Leader responsible for coaching Karen was the Area Manager responsible for the Commercial and Agri business teams in Northland. Karen also has experience as a Relationship Manager where she managed a portfolio of clients across a wide range of industries.
Categories followed previous years but included a “Businessperson” category to recognise individual achievement. It is no more evident than New Zealand’s No.8 wire mentality is engrained in Northland at times like this, so well done to the Chamber for recognising our stars, well done to the winners and finalists and most importantly, well done to all the great Northland Businesses challenging adversity and succeeding! Greg Atkins – Convenor of Judges
Hinurewa Te Hau (Hinu) Excellence in Creative Industries Judge General Manager, Creative Northland
Creative Northland is the regional arts organisation for Tai Tokerau (Northland) region. She heads a team of 6 skilled individuals. Hinurewa has a background in Economic development, Cultural Tourism, Small Business Management, Maori
Pauline Rose
Mike Lindsay
Development and Information Technologies. Her
Uber Group
Manging Director of Building and Fire Services (2008) Limited
specialisation is in how much culture matters to
Pauline rose had judged the business excellence awards
Mike has worked as a professional in the Fire, Safety,
for 17 years. She has private sector experience in strategic
and Building Compliance field for over 23 years. He
our communities. In addition to this over the years
planning, marketing and communication management
has worked in all industry sectors (Construction,
with large NZ corporates as well as project management,
Healthcare, Manufacturing and many small business) and has
stakeholder management and business improvement experience in local government. She now has her own consultancy prose NZ
delivered professional advice and solutions to all businesses dealt with, improving and enhancing their Fire Safety, Compliance &
and works for broadband provider Uber group and other clients. She
Training systems. Mike is passionate about, and wholly committed
has been president for the public institution of NZ, is a member of its
to, educating New Zealanders about how to protect people and
National Executive and a regular judge at annual awards.
property in all aspects of their professional and private lives.
economic outcomes and the relationship it has with she has been involved in good governance roles providing her skills and knowledge to social causes who are effecting change.
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Julia
NZ Speedpaint Champion
Winners of Northlands Not for profit Catagory 2020
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