Profit issue 25 for issu

INSPIRING BUSINESS IN HAWKE'S BAY

THE

MAY– AUGUST 2016

25 th

Issue

Why retire while you’re on top?

We talk to over 65’s choosing to keep working

ON TOUR

Cruising along

Q&A

Trina Tamati

HIGH FLYING IN UK

Kate Kerr

VET SIGNS OFF

Ian Walker

Celebrating 21 YEARS JENNY NILSSON

Owner Operator, House of Travel Hawkes Bay

At House of Travel we believe that Travel enriches people’s lives – providing a unique opportunity to see, to experience and to learn. The success of our business has been based on one simple premise - our ability to transform normal holiday ideas into something quite exceptional. Our experience in the travel business over the past 21 years allows us to add those inspirational tips, ideas and ‘off the beaten track’ experiences that in less experienced hands would not produce such exciting results. This ability to ‘make a difference’ for our customers is what drives us and overwhelmingly our feedback tells us we’ve got it right. If you would like to work with us in making sure your holiday is as good as it can possibly be, please pop in and have a chat with one of us about your holiday plans.

AMELIA DU TOIT Havelock North

Havelock North

DAVE LEARY

DEBBY MCROBBIE

DIANE FLYGER

DONNA HARRISON

My African roots are deeply buried in this amazing continent…born and bred in South Africa I have travelled extensively in the rest of the continent. My passion for Africa and her colours, smells, people, animals, vast plains and interesting culture, grows deeper by the day.

On a recent Los Angeles trip I checked out Disneyland in Anaheim, Universal Studios & Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park and the famous Sunset Boulevard. My favourite place was Santa Monica. I loved the people watching and hiring a bike to cycle along the beach pathways.

I have recently been on a fabulous USA holiday visiting New Orleans, New York and San Francisco. Jazz & the Blues bring New Orleans French Quarter to life along the famous Bourbon Street. In New York, I loved the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Race with all the fast & very noisy cars - always good to try something new.

Turkey was one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. Wonderful scenery and so many ancient places and stunning towns filled with history. The culture, architecture, history and people make this a place that draws you in giving you a different perspective on life.

Last year I experienced incredible India. I loved the colours, the flavours, the aromas, the people and their beautiful smiles. I am exploring Sri Lanka in early May. Both are unique destinations with so much to see and do. Call me to find out more about these destinations and many other holiday ideas.

JACQUI DONOGHUE

LANCE BROWN

KYLIE ISAACSON

STEVE LAWSON

NICKY MCCONE

Travelling is my utter passion!

Flying to exciting and sophisticated Buenos Aires where you will find a wonderful mix of French, Italian and Spanish all in one! Then on to Peru has been one of the best travel experiences of my life. An incredibly spiritual place I shall never forget.

Just like my clients I love discovering new destinations.

I have travelled to many parts of the world and I’m looking forward to many more. I have recently been to Europe – a favourite destination of mine.

Whatever your ultimate holiday destination may be, I’d love you to start your journey with me.

I have sailed on a Super Yacht around some of the most beautiful destinations in the world … the Baltic, the Mediterranean & the Caribbean. I have also recently explored Vietnam, India,Thailand, Bali, Samoa and Queensland. Next on the list is Gorilla trekking in Rwanda later this year. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Home to an incredibly welcoming spirit with friendly, polite and respectful people, Japan is a land of contrasts that will intrigue and captivate you. The sheer beauty of a countryside reminiscent of New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland combined. Call me to discuss Japan or your next Bucket List trip.

Thailand is a fantastic destination! The culture, amazing food, and great value for money are just some of the reasons to visit here. From lovely beaches, great shopping, temples, and wildlife Thailand really can tick all the boxes with plenty to do and see for all types of travellers!

Havelock North

Hastings

Hastings

Hastings

Havelock North

Hastings

Hastings

Hastings

MENTION THE PROFIT MAGAZINE ADVERT WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY AT HOUSE OF TRAVEL IN HAWKES BAY AND WE WILL DONATE $10 TO CRANFORD HOSPICE IN HASTINGS

House of Travel Hastings | ASB Building, 117 Market St North | 06 878 8858 | hothast@hot.co.nz House of Travel Havelock North | Shop 5, Village Court | 06 877 8737 | havelocknorth@hot.co.nz

CONTENTS

INSPIRING BUSINESS IN HAWKE'S BAY

THE

Issue

PRO FEATURES 6-7 10-11 14-15 18-21 24-26 24-27

Familiar face takes on London – Kate Kerr The green fingered chef Making money from art Tour sector – a trail to success Working in your golden years Export Awards

Why retire while you’re on top?

We talk to over 65’s choosing to keep working

PRO PRIMARY 30-31 35 36-37 38-39

MAY– AUGUST 2016

25 th

ON TOUR

Cruising along

Ian Walker Career drive for pipfruit sector Pipfruit chair Nadine Tunley Primary Award winners

Q&A

Trina Tamati

HIGH FLYING IN UK

Kate Kerr

VET SIGNS OFF

Ian Walker

Cover photo by Simon Cartwright

PRO EXPERTS 34 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

Pro Primary by Brent Paterson Pro Finance by Tobias Taylor Pro RMA by Cameron Drury Pro IT by Wray Wilson Pro Education by EIT Pro HR by Kimberly McKay Pro Legal by Scott Smith Pro Property by Paul Harvey Pro Business by Cedric Knowles

8-9 10-11

PRO REGULARS 4-5 8-9

Pro HB – What’s happening in the Bay Pro Q & A Trina Tamati

BUSINESS PROFILES 12-13 16-17 22-23 32-33

MCL Construction Fastway Print & Signs MR Labels Bayleys Rural view

10-11

MAKING CONNECTIONS, DELIVERING RESULTS. CINTA are award-winning market research specialists for all business sectors, offering: • customer satisfaction and performance feedback • attitudinal and buyer behaviour research • market share and price positioning studies • business to business interviews • telephone surveys | online surveys • in-depth interviews | focus groups

Locally based, national reach.

021 498 456 | cinta.co.nz MAY - AUGUST 2016

THE

1

EDITORIAL

THE

IN SP

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G BU SI

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Trium p Suc hant Pitsc cess h

on bu Leiser ilding capitacultural l in H B

25 th

CHILD ’S BU SIN

Child ES boom care – a S secto r

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K ‘N’ AB’s WH guru social m ITE ed a Ba y man ia

CARE ER

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The economy is booming along Everyone I talk to seems to be busy and the Hawke’s Bay economy has been on the rise for the last six quarters.

Many construction firms like MCL Construction and Gemco have work coming out of the ears and are looking for more workers while the pipfruit sector has been on a recruitment drive to ensure no apples are falling on the ground.

The Westpac McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence, March quarter 2016 reported a net 33 percent of respondents in the Hawke’s Bay/Gisborne region are feeling positive about business.

Further examples of the buoyant mood in the region includes passenger growth and revenue growth at the Hawke’s Bay Airport.

Editor Damon Harvey damon@theprofit.co.nz

I was talking to former Hawke’s Bay woman Trina Tamati, featured in the Q & A on page 7-8, after she arrived at the airport and she couldn’t believe how busy it was. The arrival of Jetstar is a significant factor but Air New Zealand is also coming to the party, with lower fares and supporting events like the Hawke’s Bay Marathon that will have over 4000 entrants; many of whom will be on the more than 10 extra planes put on for the weekend.

The airport returned a dividend of over $500,000 and as Trina said, hopefully the airport is redeveloped to manage the increased capacity while also improving the terminal experience.

The Napier Port is also bustling, thanks to the four percent production growth from the pipfruit industry and plans are underway to add a new berth to cater for larger ships.

Other positives are the housing crisis in Auckland, which has many Aucklanders heading into the provinces; the opening of a new commercial hub, Business HQ in Hastings; production expansion for Bostock chickens and the opening of new coolstore facilities in Hastings.

Over the last seven years The Profit has featured many of the growth and success stories in the Bay. We are celebrating 25 issues of the region’s only business magazine. We’re particularly proud of the milestone. As I look at previous magazine covers we have profiled Meat industry leader Mike Peterson, amalgamation, Art Deco glam Sally Jackson, horse trainer John Bary, transport and food hub champion Trevor Taylor, HB Go girls, the late Graeme Lowe, apple access into Australia and

our very first issue which had Prime Minister John Key on the cover.

Not only have we featured many businesses and business people but we have provided free expert advice by a bevy of knowledgeable and experienced professionals across HR, law, finance, property, IT and the rural sector.

As we were putting together this issue, it was heartening to hear a staff member say “wow, there’s some great stories in this issue.”

This proves to the skeptics who before the first issue was published asked if we would have enough stories to tell. To which my answer has been – stories are born from observations, ideas and conversations.

Lastly I would like to thank our very valued advertisers. Without your support, the magazine would not be published. Like us, you deserve a pat on the back for contributing to a local ‘feel good’ publication.

Enjoy the read.

Email me at damon@theprofit.co.nz

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Damon Harvey 06 878 3196, 021 2886 772, damon@theprofit.co.nz, Twitter – @profithb

THE PROFIT is independently owned by Attn! Marketing PR and is published four times a year. Copyright ©2012: ATTN! Marketing PR

CONTRIBUTORS: Sarah Thornton, Vivienne Haldane, Wray Wilson, Cedric Knowles, Paul Harvey, Brent Paterson, Kimberly McKay, Catherine Wedd Edward Bostock, Cameron Drury, Alisha Neilson, Amy Shanks and Anna Lorck.

All material appearing in THE PROFIT is copyright and cannot be reproduced without prior

ADVERTISING SALES: Kem Ormond; sales@theprofit.co.nz, 027 272 4470

care and diligence has been taken to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the

PHOTOGRAPHY: Julia Jameson, Damon Harvey, Vivienne Haldane, Alphapix, Simon Cartwright, Tim Whittaker & Richard Brimer

publishers for inaccurate information or for any consequences of reliance on this information.

DESIGN: Julia Jameson PRINTING: FORMAT DISTRIBUTOR: Reach Media

permission from the publisher. Neither editorial opinions expressed nor facts stated in advertisements are necessarily agreed to by the editor/publisher of The Profit. While all due

ATTN! Marketing PR p 06 878 3196 | f 06 878 3194 | www.attn.co.nz PO Box 8809, Havelock North 4157 Vol 25 • May - August 2016 ISSN 2253-5292

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES: sales@theprofit.co.nz

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND BE THE FIRST TO READ ABOUT YOUR REGION! 878 3196 2

OUR EXPE RTS

Busin & vie ess advic wpoin e ts

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MAY - AUGUST 2016

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Spicers Hawkes Bay takes top Spicers award two years running Helping people in the Hawkes Bay and East Coast region achieve their goals of financial freedom is our passion. That’s why we’re proud to announce that thanks to the loyalty and support of our clients and the local community, we have received the Spicers Office of the Year award for the second year in a row.

And our Advisers have also received three other coveted awards.

This recognition is testimony to the drive and commitment Tobias, Tony, Mike, Jane, Julie and Dianne show to our clients, and the difference our financial advice can make.

For award-winning financial advice, contact your Spicers Hawkes Bay Adviser.

Spicers Portfolio Management Limited 1/24 Porter Drive, Havelock North P: 06 877 8021 W: spicers.co.nz Mike Lewis, Investment Specialist 2015 Spicers New Adviser of the Year

WEL528212 03/16

Tony Maidens Insurance Specialist

Tobias Taylor Investment Specialist 2015 Spicers Adviser of the Year 2015 AMP Wealth Management Sales Award

A disclosure statement is available on request and free of charge.

PRO HB

Tobias Taylor (right) receives his award from AMP group chief executive Craig Meller

New Art Space opens in Hastings Parlour, a new contemporary art project space, has opened in Hastings.

Spicers Hawke’s Bay continues award winning streak Spicers Hawke’s Bay scooped three awards at the 2015 AMP & Spicers Awards, held in Auckland recently.

The Havelock North based business took out the Spicers Adviser Business of the Year title, which it also won in 2015, while managing principal Tobias Taylor was awarded the top individual AMP Wealth Management Award (a repeat of the award Tobias won in 2012) as well as Spicers Adviser of the Year.

Spicers Investment Specialist Mike Lewis was a joint winner of the Spicers Adviser of the Year as well.

Tobias said the award recognitions are a reflection of the teams efforts in providing excellent financial advice across Hawke’s Bay. Under Tobias’ leadership, the Hawkes Bay Spicers practices were significantly restructured over the last 30 months and re-orientated to focus on the client experience as well as updating many redundant legacy systems and client offerings. “The success of this change program has been reflected in our continued growth. This recognition is testimony to the drive and commitment that Tony, Mike, Jane, Julie and Dianne and myself show to our clients, the support we receive from our community and the difference our financial advice can make,” Tobias says.

Located in Hastings’ first water and electrical power supply factory, Parlour will present a rotating selection of local and international contemporary art. Popular café Opera Kitchen has also relocated to the newly renovated 1912 building.

Director of the space, 26-year-old Sophie Wallace, says she would like Parlour to become a destination for locals and visitors alike.

“My goal is to serve the region I grew up in and love by presenting the very best contemporary art through an ambitious exhibition programme.”

Sophie, who holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History and Film & Media, has international experience working in the global Marketing and Communications Department at Pace Gallery, New York.

For more please visit www.parlourprojects.

TAKING CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND

DEVELOPING OUR ECONOMY DEMANDS

Resource Consent Advice and Planning Transport Planning • Pollution Control • Biodiversity Online Irrigation Data • Water Management

Want to know more? (06) 835 9200 / www.hbrc.govt.nz

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HB

Napier Port looks to add new berth Napier Port is looking to add a new berth within its existing boundary.

The berth, which will require dredging and the construction of a new wharf, is to be located at the northern end of the container terminal.

Napier Port chief executive Garth Cowie says it would give the Port the ability to handle the increasing volumes and larger ships expected at the port in the future.

“Shipping patterns are changing, and larger vessels are projected to visit New Zealand. At the same time, volumes are set to increase considerably,” says Garth.

“We have already made significant investments to build capacity and increase productivity, but in our peak season there is a maximum capacity the Port’s main container berth can handle.

“This new wharf will allow us to efficiently handle projected volume growth, larger ships and meet our customers’ future requirements for the foreseeable future,” says Garth.

Before submitting its application, the Port is consulting with stakeholders to understand their perspectives and gather additional information. At the same time, it is also investigating potential environmental effects through a series of independent, specialist technical assessments and reports.

New executive officer for winegrowers Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers has appointed Melisa Beight as its new executive officer, responsible for the ongoing marketing and brand development initiatives for the Hawke’s Bay wine industry.

+ Profit

The looming council elections – who will seek election?

The HB Opera House will re-open!

4000 enter HB Marathon – awesome tourism $$ HB Economy – everyone seems busy!

Melisa Beight

Melisa has huge passion and enthusiasm for the wine industry and Hawke’s Bay. She comes to Hawke’s Bay following a successful stint as marketing manager for Whitehaven Wines based in Marlborough and prior to that a highly successful 14 year career as a senior litigator with law firms both in London and Auckland.

HBWG’s chairman Michael Henley says the association is very fortunate to have secured someone of Melisa’s calibre for the position.

“Her valuable combination of marketing and legal experience plus unbounded energy and enthusiasm makes her the perfect choice to lead the HB wine industry on the next stage of its journey towards being recognised as one of the world’s great wine regions,” he says.

National Horticultural Field Day The National Horticultural Field Day, to be held in early July in Hastings is set to continue into its fourth year of significant growth.

The field day will be held on Friday July 8 at Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay, moving one month later, after Mystery Creek Fieldays to ensure exhibitors who wanted to attend both events could. Historically the National Horticultural Field Day was the week before Mystery Creek.

The field day’s partners have supported from the outset with a shared vision to make this the major horticulture event for the year.

With this backing, the event has found its niche, offering a place to come together for networking, education and development.

Loss Ruataniwha Dam fighting – when will it end?

School crisis in Havelock North Smelly mushrooms – Te Mata mushrooms fined $15,000 for odour GM Issue – Federated Farmers take Hastings Council to court Wine Harvest – has it been an average season?

Trade sites sales are very strong with past exhibitors quickly rebooking their sites, and a great level of interest from new attendees who see the potential of a strictly horticulture event.

The field day will be held in association with Horticulture New Zealand’s RSE Conference, which will be held in Napier the days preceding the field day.

As the field day grows, it is expanding to include vegetable and cropping industries and businesses, to enhance the traditionally apple focussed event. With many exhibitors travelling from outside of Hawke’s Bay to attend, and visitors from Auckland and the South Island impressed with the quality and size of the event last year, indicators are showing it will be another great event, as it cements itself as the must attend event on the horticulture calendar.

MAY - AUGUST 2016

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KATE KERR – From Havelock North to London’s Harley Street

By Alisha Neilson

Being good with faces is an art not lost on clinical facialist Kate Kerr, and she’s put more than a few big names to the faces she’s worked with since opening for business in London.

Fourteen months’ trading from her premises in London’s high-brow Harley Street, Hawke’s Bay raised Kate has impressively forged a name for herself as a ‘facialist of the future’, acclaimed for her bespoke FutureSkin DNA Programme and now celebrity-studded client base.

Finishing as runner-up in last year’s UK Face and Body Awards has helped cement 36-year-old Kate’s place as one of London’s leading clinical facialists. Her successful entry in the ‘most innovative

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MAY - AUGUST 2016

Kate Kerr is making a name for herself in London

treatment or service’ category has seen business for Kate take off and she attributes 100 percent of it to her late mother Margot (McNaughton).

“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Mum. She found the DNA test in a New Zealand magazine, I brought it to the UK and it’s become the cornerstone of my business, my unique point of difference and not to mention the bait that lured the top UK journalists through my front door.”

When you stop to consider the ‘competition’ of the competition, Kate’s achievement seems all the more remarkable.

“I was one of eight finalists up against global pharmaceutical companies and their laser machines, huge budgets, designers and marketing teams. To be named runner-up, I’m extremely proud and I must say a little shocked! I had to pinch myself that little old me from Hawke’s Bay could be enjoying this kind of success.”

Becoming renowned in her field has its advantages but Kate keeps her feet on the ground by never losing sight of where it all began.

So did this plucky Havelock North High School student always have stars in her eyes? Kate admits not even she could have predicted how things have turned out for her. Initially training in beauty therapy at Hawke’s Bay’s Eastern Institute of Technology, Kate went on to work in several spas and beauty clinics. Suffering from what she calls ‘bad skin’ as a late teen formed the basis for writing a thesis on acne and helped formulate her fascination with skin problems and anti-ageing. Advanced clinical skincare work came when she made the move to Europe in 2008, and soon after, Kate landed a job in London working alongside leading aesthetic dermatologists in Chelsea. It was there she learnt the synergies between medical and aesthetic treatments.

Branching out on her own in 2014 was a bold move, particularly leasing a modern clinic in ritzy Harley Street, but Kate’s courage is quickly being rewarded. In 14 months, business growth has increased by more than 200 percent, she has a three-month waiting list and is currently planning to expand her team. When your face is your livelihood only the best treatments available will do and Kate’s bespoke anti-ageing treatments are highly sought after.

HB HIGH FLYERS

The rich and famous queuing up for Kate’s specialist therapy include the likes of Colin Firth, Lily Allen, Stella McCartney, Sienna Miller, Kate Beckinsale and Poppy Delevingne, and they certainly don’t mind paying.

At £495, Kate’s FutureSkin DNA Programme is cutting edge.

“The Skin DNA test tells me how a person is genetically programmed to age. It looks at 16 different genetic markers in 5 areas of skin ageing: wrinkles and skin laxity; glycation; antioxidant protection; sensitivity and inflammation; and sun damage and pigmentation.

Using these results, I design a five-step anti-ageing programme that helps not only to treat what is visible on the person’s skin currently but also targets what is invisible and is yet to show.”

Capitalizing on every opportunity and taking risks has seen Kate succeed where many others her age have failed. Her ‘stand out from the crowd’ perception is reality and in a city the size of London, you can’t deny she’s been clever the way she’s made the media pay attention.

“I have a PR company that ensures I’m a regular fixture in the UK press, in the magazines and online. Plus, of course, no business should ignore the impact that social media has these days. A lot of my new clients find me through Instagram and other social media channels. I also do a #SundayNightFacial on Instagram every week and this has been well received.

“Being asked to launch products for L’Oréal-owned SkinCeuticals has been fabulous as they had a book printed called the City Girl Guide full of quotes and tips by me on how to treat your skin when living in a busy city. I’m always asked to provide quotes by companies I endorse, which gives me great coverage in national press and online.

“But word of mouth is probably my best marketing tool, even in a huge and sometimes impersonal place like London. I market myself as a ‘clinical’ facialist rather than a ‘spa’ facialist, which attracts clients concerned with ageing and specific skin conditions. Offering results based on scientifically proven treatments from London’s prestigious Harley Street also helps to distinguish me from the competition.”

At £495, Kate’s FutureSkin DNA Programme is cutting edge

So from an anti-ageing guru, what are Kate’s best skin advice tips?

• Wear a minimum SPF 30/50 EVERYDAY! Even on rainy, cold days in the middle of winter! UV damage causes up to 90 percent of skin ageing.

• Use a broad spectrum antioxidant. SPF isn’t enough on its own but by pairing it with an antioxidant serum helps to double the protection.

• Retinol, retinol, retinol!

• Give yourself a weekly DIY facial. See my Instagram (@katekerrlondon_facialist) for ideas.

• Have a clinical facial once per skin cycle, that is every four to six weeks.

Kate Kerr is a young woman taking on the world and we’re excited to feature her as our first Hawke’s Bay High-Flyer. Living away from home with a pilot husband and three-year-old daughter whilst managing her own business can be challenging, but Kate is determined to make the most of her opportunities and is now busy building a new interactive website for skin health. And yes, there’s more – she plans to launch her own skincare range and one day run Kate Kerr from her own premises.

“I miss home a lot though so who knows, maybe one day I’ll go full circle and the Kate Kerr London brand will make it to New Zealand!” www.katekerrlondon.co.nz

• Once per year have a skin rejuvenation treatment, such as micro- needling or skin peels, to help wake up the skin and accelerate collagen production for up to one year.

Our personal favourite: For those who abstain from long-distance running, take it from an expert that you’re doing the right thing (by your skin anyway!). Kate says the high impact of long-distance running causes micro tears in the skin’s structure that over time causes the skin to sag. Regular, intense but low-impact exercise on the other hand has been proven to help slow and even reverse the signs of ageing.

Do you know an international high flyer? If so we would love to hear from you! Please email damon@attn.co.nz

MAY - AUGUST 2016

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PRO Q&A

Trina Tamati – An Event Extraordinaire The name Tamati is synonymous with Rugby League with Hawke’s Bay’s Kevin Tamati and Howie Tamati from Taranaki at the forefront but another Tamati is making a name in the male dominated sport.

Trina Tamati is a sports marketer and event extraordinaire working on some of the world’s largest events, such as the FIFA World Cup, the NRL Grand Final, the Australian Tennis Open as well as the World Rally Championship.

Trina is born and bred in Hawke’s Bay. She is of Ngāti Kahungunu decent and is now the general manager of the incredibly successful NRL Auckland Nines event. She was a recipient of the 2014 Māori Sports Administrator of the Year Award alongside fellow Ngāti Kahungunu descendant Heather Skipworth. In 2015 she was awarded the NZEPA Event Professional of the Year.

The Profit met Trina at McLean Park recently while she was in the region as a guest of Kevin Murphy from Napier City Council and asked her to give her views on the potential of venues like McLean Park in attracting new events.

What schools did you attend?

I wasn’t a great fan of school. My parents separated when I was young so I moved a lot between Mum and Dad’s, as well as my Nan’s place in Bridge Pa – I went to 11 different primary schools. I went to Hastings Girls’ High School but left when I was 16 years old. I just didn’t like rules at all or being told what to do.

How did you get your big career break?

After leaving school I fluttered around a bit and wasted a couple of years. I was working as a trainer at Les Mills, when Les Mills was just a small gym, and one day I saw a little advert in the back of the NZ Herald. It was only about five lines long and was black and white, no logos, and the role was headed as a marketing assistant for a sports company. I was offered the job and at that stage I still didn’t really know who the company was – it was Nike! I loved sports so I thought it was a great opportunity. Someone was looking after me and threw me a bone; that was essentially the start of my sports marketing career.

Where did you head to next?

I was made redundant in the mid 90s. I got a pretty good payout, especially for someone young, so I decided to move to the United Kingdom. However, before I went to leave I got offered a job with the advertising agency that had the Nike account. They had Air New Zealand as a client and the airline had just signed on as a sponsor of the inaugural Super Rugby competition. So I launched the Super 12 Rugby season before taking off to the UK. I ended up in the UK for eight years in total. I only had a twoyear working visa but I got every visa possible to extend my stay.

I scored some big and small contracts and I was fortunate the big ones were aligned to some of the world’s premier sporting events, such as Gillette’s FIFA World Cup and the Formula 1. I met and worked with some fantastic people along the way and had some very large budgets to play with.

What did you do when you returned to New Zealand?

I actually returned back to Hawke’s Bay and I lasted all of three seconds. I came back with an overinflated ego. I had gone from being in Monaco and setting up for a Grand Prix with a budget of more than £10 million, to someone saying all they could give me was $15,000 and asking me what I could do with that. I couldn’t get my head around it.

I decided to move to Melbourne and fortunately got to work on some big stuff, such as the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, before setting up an agency with a friend from my days at Nike. I met my then partner, who was from Christchurch, and we had our daughter Tiana while we were there. When she turned two we decided it was time to move back to New Zealand.

How did you get involved in rugby league?

I never thought I would end up working in rugby league, especially since my childhood was spent in rugby league clubrooms. Jim Doyle (the current NZ Warriors chief executive) had just been appointed as the chief executive of NZ Rugby League. I had a discussion with my uncle Howie and mentioned I was looking to leave Melbourne to return home.

After a bit of a recruitment process, I got a call from Jim offering me a job as the head of marketing and commercial and I came back at the start of 2010, spending the next four years at NZ Rugby League.

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Q&A

How challenging was it?

If you’ve set up a business before you’ll know that 96 days isn’t a long time to get it up and running. There was added complexity ensuring sponsors expectations were met, particularly when you had the likes of Dick Smith putting in $1 million and ATEED three times that. Their expectations were huge and the Duco owners Dean Lonergan and David Higgins had massive expectations of me! Now we’re heading into year four of five and the event has been a huge success year on year.

Who have been some of your career role models?

I am very lucky in that during my last six to seven years I’ve worked under Jim Doyle and Martin Sneddon (the group chief executive of Duco). They are two extremely talented sports CEOs and under their guidance and mentorship I have learnt a lot. Equally I have learnt just as much from David and Dean, particularly in terms of how to commercialize an event and, of course, how thinking completely outside of the square can pay off.

Are you keen to return to Hawke’s Bay? One day I would like to come back but I don’t see it happening in the next five to ten years. I do see Hawke’s Bay as a nice place to retire. A big part of moving home to me is about giving back and I see a lot of need for that here.

How was it getting involved in a sport that is very much blue collar in comparison to the likes of Formula 1?

It was an eye-opener on how sports on this side of the world worked. It took me a few years to settle in and understand the way we (New Zealanders) do business. It was also a fairly broken organisation and 95 percent of the people I was dealing with were all very much ’what’s in it for me’, and the tall poppy syndrome was definitely real.

No one wanted to know what I had done, they only wanted to know what I was going to do for them in the future.

I had to really prove myself. I was a female for starters, and our usual role in sport was running the tuck shop at the clubrooms.

It took a long time to build relationships and rapport with people and really cement myself in the rugby league world.

It was a male-dominated sport. I was a Tamati, so the expectation was even higher and the attitude by others was that I only got the job because I was a Tamati. So I had to debunk that idea very quickly. It took me about two years to prove myself but now it’s great.

So how did you become the event manager for the NRL nines?

I was just finishing up on the 2013 NRL Grand Final week when it was announced that Duco had won the rights to event management of the NRL Nines. As part of the agreement, the NRL requested that I was taken on by Duco to run operations and by the time I got back, I literally had 96 days to organise the first ever 50,000 people-a-day event at Eden Park.

What’s your view on larger events being lured to Hawke’s Bay? The appetite to host events in Hawke’s Bay is here. For event promoters looking at venues like McLean Park, it will appeal.

For example, traffic management plans are much easier to put together here and getting people in and out of the stadium is a nobrainer.

The introduction of Jetstar is great as it’s made it cost-effective to fly and stay here for an event. The airport needs an upgrade, as does some other infrastructure, but if you look at the booming wine sector, it only took one person to grow and pick a grape that in turn has become a booming industry. The region just needs a few more gold nuggets like that.

The potential here is second to none!

recruitment intelligence 11 Donnelly Street, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. TEL. 06 877 6637

redconsultinggroup.co.nz

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Francky Godinho

GM FREE Is A Recipe For Success

By Amy Shanks

Beyond the sun-drenched walls of a private courtyard lies the true heart of St Georges Restaurant – its sprawling vegetable garden.

Chef and owner Francky Godinho strides back from the patch holding bunches of chili plants pulled from his garden.

Francky has proudly put up a GM Free billboard outside his restaurant as part of a campaign, launched by Pure Hawke’s Bay.

“Not a bad crop,” he says, beaming.

“I get my hands dirty producing and picking GM Free vegetables to serve at St Georges restaurant every day. We market ourselves on our pure image, we don’t want to damage this.”

It’s late afternoon and Francky is gearing up for the dinner service, preparing as he does each day by picking what he needs.

In the past four years he has not only transformed the once rundown appearance of St Georges Restaurant – he’s built a sustainable business through innovation, trial, error and age-old growing techniques.

Two large gardens provide 90 percent of produce for the restaurant with enough left over to stock the fridge at home, give to friends and even help those in need.

“Every bit of time we have, we spend in the garden – it’s the heart and soul of St Georges Restaurant,” Francky says.

“We don’t use artificial fertilisers, we don’t use pesticides, we give more care to the plant because it’s unique to us – we see it grow from seed to plant, from farm to table.”

So it’s not surprising he has aligned with more than 100 other growers, pastoral farmers and exporters who are on a mission to fundraise and drum up support to protect the regions high value food production and keep Hastings GM Free.

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Passionate about delivering dishes that represent Hawke’s Bay, Francky believes the only way forward is to keep the region’s reputation intact.

Last year, backed by leading Hawke’s Bay food producers, Hastings District Council became the first in New Zealand to secure the territory’s GM Free food producer status under the local plan.

While this initiative enjoys overall support from producers and the wider community, Federated Farmers is challenging the Hastings decision in the Environment Court, despite many pastoral farmers supporting a GM Free region.

Francky feels the introduction of GM would be detrimental to Hawke’s Bay’s economy.

The concept of farm to table is one that has become synonymous with the region, he said.

“We rely on the farming community, our local lamb is some of the best lamb in the world, if you start growing plants or animals with GM, it’s hard to come back from that.

Anything Francky doesn’t grow he sources through friends – figs from a private Havelock North garden, lemons donated by anyone who can spare them.

An ever-changing menu reflects seasonal change and plays to the strengths of Hawke’s Bay suppliers.

Being able to cut costs on herbs and vegetables frees up funds to buy the highest quality ingredients available.

“I get my hands dirty producing and picking GM Free vegetables to serve at St Georges restaurant every day. We market ourselves on our pure image, we don’t want to damage this.”

– Francky Godinho “We use that money to get the best meat – Ovation lamb, Hereford Prime cattle, Bostock Organic Free Range Chicken,” he says.

“It’s essential for us to be sustainable, we know how to stagger planting and when

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it will be ready to put on the menu. Any vegetable waste goes into compost.”

It’s not just smart business that appeals to Francky, but the idea of taking care of customers – investing in their health and wellbeing.

You won’t find a microwave in his commercial kitchen nor a large freezer – ingredients are brought in or picked fresh as required.

Every dish is made from scratch and he consults with local health professionals for advice on nutrition.

This unique philosophy has seen St Georges gain followers around the world – with returning guests hailing from America, Japan, England and throughout Hawke’s Bay. “They know we will take care of them, they know what we are about – I would say 60 percent are repeat customers.”

Francky himself is an asset, bringing a long list of accolades to the table – among them New Zealand Chef of the Year and Emirates Culinary Guild Chef of the Year, which he won twice.

After taking over a lease on the two-level building on St Georges Rd, he had just one week to gut the interior in preparation for a fully pre-booked lunch service.

To start, the restaurant could only seat 50 people, now it has an architecturally designed courtyard, and much larger capacity to host business meetings, conferences and weddings.

“We have the ability to put Hawke’s Bay on the map – not only nationally but internationally,” he says proudly.

“This is a unique story, this is our story, this is the St Georges story.”

Photos above courtesy Richard Wood

Francky uses fresh produce from his garden to create vibrant dishes that reflect Hawke’s Bay.

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MCL Construction heralds new look backed by same business values

construction inspired by life

The name Mackersey has been part of the Hawke’s Bay construction scene for nearly 70 years.

For the general public, we’re used to seeing the Mackersey Construction ‘under construction’ signs on many commercial, residential and infrastructure developments throughout Hawke’s Bay. What many of us don’t know is that within the industry and the wide range of sub contractors and other associated businesses, they call the business “MCL”.

Now, 68 years after JC (John Charles) Mackersey Ltd was formed, the company name will be the same as what the tradies say. From April 1, the company’s offices and facilities, as well as many of the current building projects will have the new branding MCL Construction Ltd. MCL managing director John Bower says the new name completes a new direction for the business, with John and David Mackersey being joined in 2015 by project manager/ estimator Philip Mitchell and financial accountant Michael Bush as MCL Construction Ltd shareholders.

Also under the MCL banner will be MCL Interiors, specialising in suspended ceilings, office partitions and passive fire and MCL Joinery Ltd, a high end commercial and residential joinery business. MCL Joinery is headed by Ross Morgan, who has run the joinery division for 20 years while Jon Cruise is in charge of MCL Interiors.

David Mackersey says the three MCL entities are all in safe hands with an ownership structure that’s focused on the future.

“Succession planning is important and we are particularly pleased that we have a good mix of experienced staff stepping up, as well as some younger talent keen to come through,” David said.

For John Bower, one of many long standing members of the team, new branding provides the perfect platform to showcase the many projects – past and present MCL has undertaken, as well as telling the story of the positive impact the business has had since JC Mackersey first started in 1948.

As he looks to the photos on the walls at the Kaiapo Road headquarters, which has been home to MCL from the very start, he highlights the long and successful careers that have been established.

MCL is blessed with many loyal and experienced staff with John Caccioppoli, who has been with the company for 54 years; Mark Adams (40 years), Peter Biggs, Dave Mischefski, Gavin Mackay, Dave Bower and Ross Morgan (all 20 plus years) as well as project manager and quantity surveyor Marc Anderson.

John Bower says MCL is particularly proud of the many tradesman that have undertaken apprenticeships over the years.

“There’s been hundreds that have worked at MCL, many of whom are still with us today. We take great pride in having long serving loyal staff.

From the outset the Mackersey name has been attached to many prominent buildings, and established itself as the preferred construction firm to many major projects.

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MCL Construction directors (from left) John Bower, David Mackersey, Michael Bush and Philip Mitchell standing in front of the Village Exchange and Porters Hotel complex in Havelock North.

“WE SEE THE NEW BRAND AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR BRAND TO LIFE AND SHOWCASE ‘CONSTRUCTION INSPIRED BY LIFE’” – JOHN BOWER the achievements of the business during their eras at the helm but also over the last decade.

Just take a walk around the Hastings CBD and look up to the high rise buildings like the Westpac Bank, ANZ Bank, the Tower Building (next to the Hastings Police station) and the Hastings District Council civic buildings. Other notable buildings include the Takapau Freezing Works and Mangaroa Prison.

During David’s tenure as managing director major projects included the Farmlands building, Karamu Holden, the Crown Hotel and Navigate Hotel in Ahuriri and the Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

In 2003 David started to slowly move away from his day-to-day role to establish Mackersey Development Ltd, a property development and management company based in Havelock North.

“David’s drive behind Mackersey Construction was to support the development of the local primary industry, both in agriculture and horticulture.

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“We have continued to evolve and diversify to provide a first class service to the modern era with construction of government department projects, education, tourism and medical health and aged care facilities,” John said.

Recent projects completed include the New Zealand Gold Architecture Award winning Iona College’s Performing Arts Centre and Information Resource Centre, the KiwiBank customer service centre in Hastings, Business HQ, Bay Ford/Bay Mazda Stortford Lodge and the new Club Hastings (a merger of the Hastings RSA, Hibernian Club and Heretaunga Club).

John says the Hawke’s Bay construction scene is “very buoyant” with projects on stream for at least the next 12-18 months.

“There’s also plenty of projects yet to be awarded.

“Presently we’ve got large scale projects such as the Tamatea Pak ‘n Save and the Village Exchange & Porters Hotel complex in Havelock North.

“There seems to be no letting up at the moment, which is fantastic for the local economy and the community by way of jobs.

MCL is still operating from the Kaiapo Road site, where John Mackersey started the business from in 1948.

“MCL alone employs over 110 staff from labourers, apprentices, carpenters, site managers and administration staff.

“We’re also committed the supporting the community and over the years we’ve supported many organisations and charities such as The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, Havelock North junior rugby,

the Waimarama Surf Club and the Staples Rodway Challenge.

“We see the new brand as an opportunity to bring our brand to life and showcase ‘construction inspired by life’.

“It’s what we’ve been doing for 68 years and we look forward to doing for many more years to come,” John says.

Commitment to quality building since 1948 Mackersey Construction continues its fine heritage of transforming skylines in the Bay and beyond.

Same core values, same highly skilled team, same commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Fresh new brand.

construction inspired by life

joinery construction interiors www.mclbuild.co.nz

1101 Kaiapo Road, Hastings

E info@mclbuild.co.nz.nP 06 876 0252

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Get a Real Job

By Sarah Thornton

In garages, studios and homes around Hawke’s Bay brushes are loaded with paint, urns are heated and canvases stretched. There are hundreds of visual artists working in Hawke’s Bay but is it possible to sustain an art-based business here? The Profit spoke to a few in the industry about how supportive the region is to its creatives and the reality of making money from art.

It’s difficult to know the art sector’s value or importance to Hawke’s Bay’s economy, as figures are thin on the ground. Economic impact reports exist, but creative businesses seem to have missed the memo.

What we do know, is that the Hawke’s Bay art scene has changed significantly over the past ten years, and not necessarily for the better. Galleries have shut their doors one after another and many prominent artists have also closed up shop, leaving for the bright lights of the big cities.

While personal art business may be struggling, Hawke’s Bay’s public art scene is thriving. Throughout the region there are numerous important works by prominent artists, from the 1950s bronze Pania of the Reef sculpture to Paul Dibble’s Gold of the Kowhai in Napier, Para Matchitt’s Te Haaro O Te Kaahu in Havelock North and Neil Dawson’s Sun Trap suspended above Hastings’ CBD. Recently Hastings ratepayers dipped in their pocket and forked out $55,000 for 11 artworks to celebrate 100 years of the Hawke’s Bay Opera House, now in situ along the building’s perimeter fencing.

An IT company selling copiers & printers . . . now that makes sense!

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Heather Wilson

There are two main support systems in Hawke’s Bay to help artists create a viable business. Community arts organisations Creative Hastings and Creative Arts Napier (CAN) work tirelessly developing local artists’ practice, supporting them to make a living. Both organisations are largely funded by their respective councils in return for delivering Arts Policies, and together produce the Hawke’s Bay Art Guide, published annually with 15,000 copies distributed around the region and also online. Both provide gallery space and exhibition opportunities for the hundreds of artists living here.

Creative Hawke’s Bay, the regional arts organisation that for years supported our professional art sector with its annual Invitational exhibition, Art Guide and famed Lecture Series, disbanded in 2010.

Fragments of the organisation now exist, but only to put on a few Pecha Kucha evenings each year.

So how do professional artists survive in 2016 in Hawke’s Bay? Some, like leading NZ painter and potter Martin Poppelwell will exhibit regularly outside the region and will also diversify, embarking on collaborations with fashion designers, even joining forces with other artists to make a living.

Others will diversify in the form of retail. Melaina and Rakai Karaitiana own Aroha and Friends in Ahuriri, selling designer clothing and homewares alongside Rakai’s art and craft works.

Local artist Heather Wilson paints full time from her studio in Napier. Instead of opening her studio to local visitors on the art trail, Heather has focused on making a name for herself outside the region, particularly in Wellington. She sells to customers around the country.

“I’ve worked very hard to create a name for myself. I attend the NZ Art Show in Wellington (formerly the Affordable Art Show) and exhibit at schools and in galleries. When the Wine Country Gallery closed in Havelock North, it was hard for me as they were very successful in selling my work. I’ve had to look further afield to make money. Being well established in Wellington has certainly helped. I will always market myself as a Hawke’s Bay artist though,” says Heather.

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Attending ‘The Business of Being an Artist’ course run by Lani Morris a decade ago gave Heather valuable advice, which she still practices today.

“To make money from your art, you need to think like a business. You’ve got to have a very commercial approach to your practice and have strong organisational skills. It’s hard, and when coupled with criticism that artists receive, it’s often difficult to keep going!”

At EIT’s Ideaschool, aspects of running an arts business are covered in Level 6 of the Bachelor of Visual Art and Design degree.

There are around 130 students studying at undergraduate level, and 11 post-graduate students. Nigel Roberts is Ideaschool’s programme co-ordinator.

“There is a clear difference between those who follow a design focused career and those who follow a fine arts career. The design focus has a clearer connection to industry, with a number in employment in Hawke’s Bay. With a fine arts focus, we see the directions as either self-employment, with most only surviving with additional income from another source such as a part time job, or into education as teachers,” he says.

“Hawke’s Bay only has a small number of creative industry jobs and the reality is that the jobs are in the larger centres or overseas.”

Nigel says the “core creative skills” students gain during their studies are transferable, and can contribute to a person’s employment

suitability. “We don’t just teach people to make art or design, we teach people at a core level to problem solve and think creatively.”

Where professional artists can get their work seen in Hawke’s Bay is at the heart of the problem when trying to establish a following.

In the last ten years, many retail galleries have closed their doors including Wine Country, Black Barn, Judith Anderson and Statements (although the latter has re-opened as A+E).

A couple have survived, one of which is Paper-works, upstairs in Tennyson Street.

“To make money from your art, you need to think like a business. You’ve got to have a very commercial approach to your practice and have strong organisational skills.

It’s hard, and when coupled with criticism that artists receive, it’s often difficult to keep going!”

– Heather Wilson Annabel Sinclair-Thomson opened Paperworks in 2006, at a time when Napier was “bustling and exciting”. The gallery sells primarily work on paper, with a large number of local artists’ work represented. Annabel says that while she has a loyal customer base of locals, she’s seen visitor numbers decline over the past six years.

“Hawke’s Bay once was a creative destination – art groups used to come here and they were spoilt for galleries and artists’ studios to visit. The recession didn’t hit the art scene in Hawke’s Bay until late in 2010 and I’ve watched tourism slow down since.”

Emerging artists fare a little better. There are a number of community funded gallery spaces in the Bay, including CAN and the Hastings Community Arts Centre. Christine Heaney is the manager of CAN. “We are part gallery, part meeting space, part workshop and part community facility. In the six months between July and December last year, we hosted more than 34 separate exhibitions,” she says. CAN also has a large, well equipped workshop area and retail space selling local artists’ work.

Across town, Hastings City Art Gallery holds the regional showcase exhibition ‘East’ every two years, in which emerging artists are welcome to submit.

A new contemporary art space, Parlour has opened in Hastings. Located in Hastings’ first water and electrical power supply factory, Parlour will present a rotating selection of local and international contemporary art.

The Ministry for the Environment says “successful towns and cities are competitive, thriving, creative and innovative”.

Organisations such as local government and Hawke’s Bay Tourism need to play a bigger part in regenerating and invigorating Hawke’s Bay’s art scene, for the benefit of our artists, our galleries and the creative health of our region.

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Call Colliers to discuss the possibilities Danny Blair 021 826 496

Rob Nankervis 027 228 5291

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PRINTING in the fast lane

Pictured left is Nina Allen, who has been with the company for over 20 years.

Above is the Fastway Print & Signs team at its premises in Onekawa.

Delivering more than expected is what comes to mind when you think of the name Fastway.

Most of us know the success of Fastway Couriers, a business that started in Napier over 30 years ago and has grown into a global brand with over 1200 franchisees across New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Northern Ireland and South Africa.

Stepping out of the shadows of Fastway Couriers is Fastway Print & Signs. Also based in Napier but at a different location in Cadbury Road, Onekawa.

Fastway Print & Signs is a great example of a company that provides print and signage 16

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services internally for the Fastway business but has expanded to have its own ever growing list of commercial clients.

As well as signwriting the hundreds of Fastway Courier vans and trucks in New Zealand and Australia, Fastway Print & Signs produces all of the courier divisions printed marketing materials such as flyers, posters and brochures.

Fastway Print was born out of Fastway Post, a business set up by Bill McGowan, entrepreneur and founder of Fastway Couriers, in July 1985.

Over time Fastway Post added a print division, investing in print equipment and software. In 2011, the postal division was sold and Fastway instead bought the sign and graphics business that had for many years done its sign writing. See inset story Fastway Print & Signs general manager Gaylene Roundill says when you service one large business such as Fastway Couriers, it’s easy to replicate this to other business of differing shapes and sizes.

“We are an internal servicing business that has taken on a life of its own and developed into a commercial business. We

act independently and my role is to grow the business and take it out into the market place as well as developing stronger relationships internally.

“We were doing all this work for Fastway Couriers on a regular basis, therefore it made sense to bring services like signwriting and graphics in house and then offer it to the wider business market.”

Earlier this year the Fastway Group of companies was sold to Aramex, a leading global provider of logistics and transport.

The deal was reported to be $125 million.

Gaylene says very little has changed since the buyout. Fastway Print & Signs continues to service the other parts of the business as well as drive forward in providing print, design and signage solutions to other businesses.

As well as the office and print facility in Cadbury Street, Fastway Print & Signs has offsite distribution and storage and installation facilities.

“There aren’t many companies, especially in the printing and signage sector that have the backing of a very solid and significant company and it provides a very stable base for us.

Gaylene says many of the learnings of servicing Fastway Couriers can easily be

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A fast history delivered Fastway Print & Signs was born from Fastway Post, a business set up Bill McGowan, entrepreneur and founder of Fastway Couriers, in July 1985.

Back then the New Zealand Government, seeing the need for increased competition in the postal industry broke the long held monopoly and allowed other businesses into the mail business.

Fastway Post grew quickly in this environment, leveraging its already strong courier business with its commitment to meet and exceed its customer’s needs. As this business grew Fastway Post looked to new areas that it could add to its business to help fuel growth and build a total customer experience.

This lead to the print division being set up from the Fastway Post premises in Onekawa. Never content to simply offer a “me too” service to its customers, the company invested in both the latest print equipment as well as developing online print and management software.

“As a new print business, we knew that investing in technology was essential if we were to take on the larger existing players” recalls Fastway Managing Director Bruce Speers. And the investment paid off, with another wave of new customers and business driving the business forward.

By 2011, Fastway Post and Print was continuing to grow however the trend in mail volumes globally was not. The postal division was sold and the long-time signs & graphics supplier to Fastway Couriers was purchased. This formed the basis for the business today.

applied to other businesses. It has always been important for the Fastway Couriers brand to be applied perfectly.

“We are an internal servicing business that has taken on a life of its own and developed into a commercial business.”

– Gaylene Roundill

“We do a lot of work for businesses that are wanting to maintain and enhance their logo and expand their brand. For us it’s important that we control the product and ensure the colours are always consistent. We use the 3M qualified system, so we can make sure the product is of the highest quality and the installers are authorised installers.

“For us it’s important to make sure that our customers business card logo colour matches what’s on the side of their truck or cars.

“We recently did some bus wraps for Johnston Buses, two of which were brought to Hawke’s Bay and installed in our covered installation facility while the other was done by approved installers in Queenstown.

Fastway Print & Signs currently employs 18 staff in sales, graphic design, administration, print, finishing, signage and installer roles.

It has in-house digital printing capabilities producing booklets, manuals, pads, business cards as well as utilising outside trade services for larger print runs.

Although the print business is competitive Gaylene says the focus is firmly on meeting client expectations and ensuring the client has a familiar point of contact.

“We all have our own clients and we know that these clients enjoy working directly with the person they have a relationship with. It’s all about partnerships.

“We’re about growth. We are actually about letting people know what we offer and expanding our service range to them and not assuming they know what we do.

“Being based in Hawke’s Bay is a real positive because our footprint is cheaper than the main centres and we can provide services easily and freight in and out thanks to the Fastway Courier network.

Although in the early days Fastway Print & Signs relied on work from the courier division, it’s nice that the print company can now use the courier services to distribute its own client work to customers around New Zealand.

Head Office:

15 Cadbury Road, Onekawa, Napier

Auckland Sales office:

118 Hugo Johnston Drive, Penrose, Auckland

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PUTTING THE ‘TOUR’ IN

Hawke’s Bay’s Tourism

By Alisha Neilson

We’re all familiar with the saying ‘what goes on tour stays on tour’ but when it comes to the region’s latest tourist arrival figures, it would be lackadaisical not to shout them from the rooftops!

The emphatically positive figures reveal that in our peak tourist month of January this year, Hawke’s Bay recorded New Zealand’s second largest percentage increase in visitor numbers, second only to Canterbury and a country mile ahead of rival tourist hotspots Queenstown, Auckland and Rotorua.

Like riding a bike, running a business requires forward momentum and Jenny Ryan’s Takaro Cycle Trails is certainly achieving that. Since launching in 2009, the business has recorded year on year growth but this year saw the biggest jump with revenue up by a whopping 38 percent.

Whilst an official shore excursion to Holland America, Royal Carribean and Silver Seas cruise lines, plans are afoot for Takaro Trails to soon include a new luxury programme seeing the company partner with Breckenridge Lodge, Greenhill Lodge and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

But perhaps the unsung story is that never before has Hawke’s Bay attracted so many international visitors. Couple that with a resurging domestic market and a planned 26 percent increase in cruise ship numbers next year and tour operators are seriously clipping the ticket(s).

When Takaro Trails hit the market, Hawke’s Bay as a region had 60 kilometers of cycle trails. Somewhat fortuitously, a government initiative funding 200 kilometers of cycle trail later that year has more than raised the bar for Jenny’s offering.

Latest figures on regional visitor spend show a $690M local economy injection for the year ended March 2015. Of that, $110 million came from international visitors – a $10M increase on the year before.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas says business in the tour operator space has been booming and that’s not likely to hit the skids anytime soon.

“Activities in the attraction space are constantly emerging most notably the number of new cycle trail operators whose businesses are geared around showcasing the region. Hawke’s Bay’s tour companies cater exceptionally well to all levels of the market but with consumer trends constantly changing, the challenge now is keeping the pedal down.”

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“I launched Takaro Trails as a way of relocating from Auckland. I had been on a cycle tour around Provence in 2007 and thought the concept would work well in Hawkes Bay as a great compliment to the food and wine offering.

“This season we have had clients from Australia, U.K., Switzerland, Germany, Canada, U.S., New Caledonia, Hong Kong & Singapore all arriving to ride our three or five day tours. On average they stay in the region for five days and many tell us they would not otherwise have come to Hawkes Bay if not for our product and the cycle trail network.”

CRUISE SHIP KEY STATS: • This year’s cruise season saw a record 75,000 visitors disembark at the Napier Port • Next year forecasting 102,000 passengers • The cruise sector contributed $436 million in value-added earnings to the New Zealand economy in the 2014-15 season and supported 8,365 jobs

With more cash changing hands, tour operators like Bay Tours have recorded an average 20 percent growth in business, year-on-year.

Husband and wife team Ken and Kerren

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Kerren & Ken Withington

Cycle Tourism is booming

Withington bought Bay Tours three years ago to complement their already successful Black Rose Limousine fleet. With risk has come reward however Bay Tours director Kerren is careful not to get complacent.

“Since the beginning of 2016 bookings of our various Wine and Sightseeing tours have sharply increased, and that’s largely a result of a complete review of our web presence.

Given that the vast majority of travellers use the internet to book tours via smartphones and tablets, it was imperative that our website be fully responsive to a range of devices and make booking as simple as possible.

As a tourism operator with a fleet of 16 vehicles, Bay Tours doesn’t experience a large drop-off between ‘peak’ and off seasons. 27 ‘Tour Club’ trips around the country for locals along with community charter partnerships over the winter see the company sustain a satisfactory profit percentage.

and have cash to splash. Tour operators like Ken and Kerren know the stakes and actively target the market.

“Our drive to meet the needs of a more culturally divergent range of visitors to Hawke’s Bay is a vital aspect of the attraction of new business. We already offer the services of French, German, Dutch, Cantonese and Mandarin speaking hosts for group or family tours and we seek to build further on this. Our ongoing relationships with inbound travel agents specializing in travel for these and other cultures will help entice them to the Bay.” Competitors and winners of Hawke’s Bay’s Supreme Tourism and Activity and Attraction Awards, Nimon and Sons has been operating in the tour space here since 1905 making it our longest serving tour operator. Having ‘been around the block

a few times’, the company has grown from two horse drawn coaches to a fleet today of around 120 vehicles including luxury cars and mini coaches. Fifth generation family member Katie Nimon says 111 years of history in the region makes Nimon and Sons a part of the furniture.

“The market has grown immensely. Our market specifically has evolved and now includes a lot more people, including specialist guides for maori culture, and Art Deco heritage. The region’s become quite the getaway for many people around the country and the industry works well together to show Hawke’s Bay off in the best way.”

Investing in new coaches isn’t cheap and poses a significant capital outlay risk to the business, but marketing manager Katie justifies the company’s spend with the same steely resolve.

So where are our visitors coming from? Up to 80 percent of Hawke’s Bay’s visitors are Kiwi; of the international arrivals Australians make up the bulk, with Brits, Americans and Chinese in close succession. Nationally, the Chinese now make up the country’s second largest visitor numbers, gone are the days of the Approved Destination Status agreement where Chinese tourists would visit the country for short stays in large tour groups.

The landscape is changing, the Chinese are characterized as high-yielding tourists, who are interested in golf, great food and wine

Bay Tours

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Grant Pethrick with a happy tourist

“We are always looking to diversify the fleet.

The proof is in the pudding. We know where the demand is by seeing what works and what doesn’t. That gives us confidence in our decision-making. You need to grow to meet the changing audience, and you can’t do that if you don’t take risks.”

“There’s been a very definite increase in guided fly fishing this summer, thanks in part to the value of the kiwi dollar. I’ve seen guides who I thought were retired, back on the water for the first time in years, so that’s a positive sign.”

– Grant Petherick Nimon and Sons travel out of the region on nationwide tours, several times a week and that’s become a large part of the business, especially with a depot and fleet now based in Taupo helping draw tour groups and travellers through to Hawke’s Bay. “Heading into the off-season presents an opportunity to catch up on company ‘housekeeping’.

It’s a good time to reflect on what we have done over the season, regroup, and maybe take a little holiday. We still work closely with tour groups over winter, and conferences are frequent this time of year,” says Katie.

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Whether it’s behind the wheel or gripping the reel, the demand for specialised tour guides in Hawke’s Bay is rapidly on the rise. You only have to ask fly fishing extraordinaire Grant Petherick.

“There’s been a very definite increase in guided fly fishing this summer, thanks in part to the value of the kiwi dollar. I’ve seen guides who I thought were retired, back on the water for the first time in years, so that’s a positive sign.”

20 years luring discerning travellers to North Island’s best fishing rivers has seen Grant establish an enviable clientele, 80 percent of which he estimates are American.

“The advent of food and wine tourism has made a marked difference to my business, my clients tend to stay in high end accommodation, the likes of Cape Kidnappers, Black Barn’s cottages or Mangapapa so as the region’s infrastructure has matured so too has my target market.”

Grant has one couple from Texas he looks after every January for 20 days of the month.

In fact 70 percent of his client base are repeat customers who book a year in advance and have no qualms spending $2,000 a day to heli-fish some of our most remote and pristine stretches of water.

Working closely with inbound and outbound tour operators has ensured Grant a steady stream of referrals but as a guide judged on

quality and quantity, reputation is everything and word of mouth is still key.

His ‘catch and release’ reflects an ebb and flow energy that perhaps best sums up Grant’s business. When the season is on, there aren’t enough hours in the day but during May-September, the off-season can flatline bookings literally overnight. Grant’s contingency income for his quiet times is relief school teaching over the winter.

COMMERCIAL ACCOMMODATION MONITOR FIGURES FOR HB (JAN 2016) Guest nights rose 13% to 163,790 International guest nights rose a whopping 20.9% to 41,357 Domestic visitor guest nights rose 10.5% to 122,433 Hotels were up 31.3% Motels up 6.9% Backpackers up 20.2% Holiday Parks up 13.8% For the year ended January 2016 there were 36,532,000 guest nights, an increase of 5% on the previous year. *figures don’t include holiday home or private home stays)

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It’s that back to the drawing board approach when tourists are thin on the ground, which sorts those who survive in the industry, out from those who don’t. It’s still early days for Long Island Guides’ new owner Edward Gordon, since taking over the company reins almost 12 months ago. If there’s one thing he’s learned so far, it’s the art of relatability and he goes to great lengths to find it, even travelling to areas he knows his clients are coming from. Last year it was New York and the Napa Valley and this year he’s Florida bound but he sees it as money well spent.

“Taking a reconnaissance trip to places where guests come from is invaluable when interacting with them on tour. It provides valuable points of conversation and they love the unique experience we provide them.”

Boutique self-catering accommodation offers visitors a slice of rural New Zealand life and Hawke’s Bay offers travellers a spectacular selection. Havelock North’s Ribbonwood Cottages run by Jane Mackersey, has seen a 40 percent increase in revenue since expanding a little over two years ago. A third cottage endearingly named “The Loveshack” helped boost bookings last summer by more than 10 percent, with guests increasing their stay from 2-3 nights to 1-2 weeks.

“The extended stays benefit many other

A Ribbonwood Cottage

local businesses and judging by the dockets and packaging left behind, the retail and dining sector are doing very well! Next summer I plan to cater for up to 20 guests.” says Jane.

Taking the plunge into boutique accommodation ten years ago has not only ensured a handsome return off Jane’s three

hectare Endsleigh Road property, it’s fast becoming her retirement fund ‘nest egg’.

From boutique scale hosting to bus driven wine and food tours, to river guiding or simply ‘hitting the trail’, Hawke’s Bay’s tour operating faithful may finally be in the box seat, proving that with passion comes profit.

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MR LABELS EARNS ITS OWN ‘BEST IN CLASS’ LABEL

Label print company MR Labels has invested significantly in new technology that will take the business to a new frontier.

Like a great wine, MR Labels just gets better with age.

However, unlike cellaring a vintage wine, MR Labels has embraced the need to continue to be at the forefront of printing technology, even though to do so, as managing director Abbie Single explains “we have invested millions”.

Although the investment in a new multi substrate flexo press would also have caused many business owners sleepless nights, Abbie and sister Jo and their team are on to a winner. They’ve become the first label company in New Zealand to install a new MPS printer, capable of pumping out enough labels to cover over one and a half rugby fields in just a minute!

ventured, nothing gained. There was more risk in not doing it. You either shrink to look after your narrowing market or get the next big thing.

Mark Sandbrook, MR Labels Operations Manager says it comes into its own with its speed, high quality production and ability to operate constantly.

“We decided that rather than be a general printing firm, we would go back to what we were well respected for and that was labels.

“It’s very hungry in that its capability is immense. If needed it can operate 24/7 and it prints 10 times the speed of its predecessor, as well as being of high definition quality.

It’s all about improved productivity. The set up, print and wash-up is fast, and the size of the press allows labels to be printed more efficiently.”

“The plan was always to reinvest, we knew what we wanted to do, we just needed to find the best equipment and systems.

“Lastly we looked at our client base. We are fortunate to have a very strong loyal following from owner operator businesses and the investment in new equipment now gives us an opportunity to work with larger corporate clients within the food sector,” Abbie says.

The sisters took over MR Print from their father John in 2008. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t great as the New Zealand economy was being hit by the global recession.

However rather than look for excuses in a challenging and highly competitive industry, they decided to plan for expansion rather than batten down the hatches.

After years of researching for the best print equipment and attending international tradeshows, Abbie narrowed her search down to two label printing machines, both European made.

“You get to a point you have to decide whether to move forward or not. We did the numbers and they showed that we could make it work. It’s a bold move, but nothing

The new machine and its supporting equipment such as job management software, pre-press and finishing machines were commissioned after Easter.

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In making the final decision Abbie travelled to Europe to meet the suppliers and see the equipment firsthand.

“We’re pretty lucky in that we only need to walk into a supermarket and we’re confronted by all our prospects.

It’s pretty easy to identify there is a need there, it’s just a case of then getting in front of the right person.”

– Abbie Single

BUSINESS PROFILE

The Mr Labels Team

Labelling examples

It’s a much more automated process and is in its element producing the more challenging labelling such as wine labels but also in more general label printing.

In addition to the new press, MR Labels installed one of the best job management software for labels on the market. It enables all team members to easily check real time jobs status and best of all its barcoding functionality allows full traceability of all labels.

All rolls converted are allocated a unique barcode providing the ability to track each individual roll back to its source. These barcodes can also be used by customers to integrate into their own warehouse management and quality control systems.

This job management software seamlessly integrates directly into new graphic art software which provides high quality digital pre-press which in turn results in higher print quality at press, while the new finishing systems ensures customers get the highest quality labels every time.

The Hastings based print company was established in the 1920s and was purchased

by John Single in the late 1970s. John was the first person to import a label press into New Zealand and it was used predominantly for labelling meat from companies such as

Davmet, Dawn Meat, Weddell Crown and the New Zealand Meat Board.

for meat, pies and beauty products such as health and vitamins.”

Over time and as the wine industry became established in Hawke’s Bay, MR Labels repositioned itself as a wine label specialist.

“The new equipment means we can now offer what many bigger clients want but at the same time we remain a family owned business that is very focused on a personal approach. We’re nimble, quick decision makers but we now also have the competitive advantage of the latest technology.

Today the company’s sales team only needs to walk down a supermarket aisle to identify new business.

“We’re pretty lucky in that we only need to walk into a supermarket and we’re confronted by all our prospects. It’s pretty easy to identify there is a need there, it’s just a case of then getting in front of the right person.”

“We do a lot of food and beverage labelling such as oils, sauces, chutneys and honey.

With the new machine making its way from Holland to New Zealand, Abbie and account manager Melissa Greville have been busy on the sales front in preparation for its arrival.

“We’ve been travelling all over New Zealand in the last 12 months to secure new business, as well as marketing to local businesses, and we’ve had a pretty good strike rate.

“The range of labelling it can do which is from the size of a 5 cent coin and upwards to about an A3 size makes the opportunities endless. It can print blank labels for the apple and kiwifruit sectors through to labels

MR Labels employs 10 people, is proud to be local and supports a range of local organisations and events such as the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards, Bellyful, Peak Trail Blazer and the HB Foundation.

With a new press, pre-press and finishing equipment, the future of MR Labels looks strong. Abbie is mindful that the new equipment needs to not only pay its way but that the ongoing pursuit of print perfection continues.

“We’re constantly aware that technology is a driver for the business. The industry continues to develop and that means keeping on eye on international trends and equipment.

For all sales enquiries contact Abbie or Melissa on 06 876 3203 or sales@mrlabels.co.nz www.mrlabels.co.nz MAY - AUGUST 2016

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Bay’s C the ‘Lig

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By Alisha Neilson

Who says change keeps you young?

Fifty-four years working for the same company might sound like employee asphyxiation to some but for Havelock North’s John Caccioppoli, it’s been one long breath of fresh air.

At 72 years of age, John is one of a growing number of Hawke’s Bay’s ‘not ready to retire’ brigade choosing to work through their golden years, not through necessity but out of a genuine love for what they’re doing and with the support of their employers. No longer should we ignore the fact that New Zealand’s population of baby boomers are reaching what was traditionally considered retirement age, and Kiwis are facing an imminent labour market makeover. In little over a decade, the number of New Zealand’s over 65 years of age will double from 600,000 (13 percent) in 2013 to more than one million (21 percent), and leading the charge of this ‘light brigade’ is Hawke’s Bay.

Projected growth of Hawke’s Bay’s 65+ years population for the 2013–2043 period is 23,800, or 91 percent, compared to total population growth of close to 4 percent.

The real question is, are we ready for what will be an unprecedented change to our region’s demographic? Some employers are embracing the labour market shift, seeing real financial benefit in retaining their older, more experienced heads.

In the case of John Caccioppoli, Mackersey Construction Ltd. has provided the canvas for his life’s work. Fifty-four years spent climbing the company ladder, first as a teenage labourer before moving on to various other roles, including his current ‘hat’ of project supervisor, it’s been a career he couldn’t imagine life without.

“I love it, I’ve always got so much satisfaction out of building and I’m lucky I’ve been given so many exciting challenges. The social side of the job as well as the mental application make it hard to throw away. Most give it up when they can no longer physically do the job but we’re an industry in search of wise heads; with the migration of many to Australia and Christchurch’s rebuild, it’s a golden opportunity for us oldies to keep a hand in the game.”

John’s witnessed many changes in the building industry over his years but none, in his opinion, have had the impact of health and safety regulations.

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Charge of ght Brigade’ Photo courtesy of Alphapix

“Health and safety is huge today, it was always there but we probably paid lip service to it in the old days. Now it’s a huge responsibility for foremen and supervisors and it’s all for the better.”

John downed tools seven years ago, giving up the physical work when the company moved him into site manager, supervisor and programmer roles. Mackersey Construction Ltd. Managing Director John Bower says it’s important for the future of the company to have role models like John passing on their valuable knowledge and work ethic.

“John is a very humble man with a fierce passion for the industry and varied construction techniques. He is greatly respected amongst colleagues, clients and subcontractors throughout the Hawke’s Bay. Very rarely do you see such passion and dedication in our industry. It’ll be a sad day when he calls it quits.”

For the team at Mackerseys that day could come sooner than they’d like.

“If my health stays good, I’ll stay on full-time for another two years then I’ll probably pull the pin...If I can clock up 55 years I can say I’ve done all right,” laughs John.

Unearthing gems like John is easier said than done. As a generation, it seems the baby boomers prefer to keep their heads down, go about their business and simply get on with the job, no fanfare, no fuss. Surely it’s these qualities employers could be capitalizing more on. Statistics show that by the mid 2020s, Hawke’s Bay’s 65+ workforce is projected to increase from one in five to one in three. By 2061, up to 18 percent of the region’s employees will also collect a pension. As a result, employers will need to rely more heavily on older workers and it will become increasingly important for businesses to attract and retain their older staff in the future.

Recruitment companies are slowly seeing a rise in the age of candidates actively looking for employment, and Rachel Cornwall from Red Consulting Group says she is very welcoming of this.

“Often some of our strongest candidates are in their late 50’s and early 60’s, they have a great deal of expertise they can offer an employer. Interestingly, we are seeing 65 year olds staying in roles longer than before, not just having to but wanting to.

Those closer to retirement age these days offer a lot more than 35 years ago.”

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As one of the region’s top recruiters, Rachel Cornwall places many ‘seasoned employees’, 30 percent of candidates on her books are 50+ but she worries the demise of some large scale operations (meat works, factories etc.) have forced many out of the workforce.

“Hawke’s Bay is predominantly made up of privately owned companies employing much smaller numbers than in larger centres. There are large organisations here, but fewer corporates make their decisions from Hawke’s Bay based offices than in the past. Another factor is, we’ve become such a technology fuelled economy that unless you have experience and currency in any given sector, the young ones coming up will give you a damned good run for your money.”

The inexorable advent of computerized systems, the Internet and digital and social media has no doubt presented challenges for those who haven’t grown up with it. But for those choosing to embrace it, the chance to adapt can ensure employability.

Enter Dianne Lishman. Sub-editing Hawke’s Bay’s daily newspapers has been an unwavering passion for Dianne for 30 years. At 73, she’s been at the coalface of some of the biggest technological changes seen in print media.

“If my health stays good, I’ll stay on full-time for another two years then I’ll probably pull the pin...

If I can clock up 55 years I can say I’ve done all right,” – John Caccioppoli

“Thirty years ago reporters used typewriters, subeditors received carbon copies and marked changes, typesetters typed copy that was then cut and pasted on to the page, and subeditors checked and made cuts to fit. In 1994 I returned from holiday to be confronted with a computer! A few of us had never even used a typewriter, so we had a series of lessons that were a great help.”

Dianne’s ‘never stop learning’ attitude has afforded her longevity in the job.

“I work with amazing people who have become good friends.

I have known some colleagues for 30 years. My role is never boring and I’ve never been able to resist correcting spelling and grammar mistakes. It is exciting to be in the newsroom when stories break and reporters and photographers race off to a job.

“The nature of my work, reading all day, is great for my mental and personal well-being and the income is also very welcome!”

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LARGEST INDUSTRIES TO EMPLOY 65+ IN HB IN 2013

579

282

Health care and social assistance

Transport/Storage/ Postal

318

Professional/ technical services

375

Education

273

231

Rental/Hiring/ Real Estate

363 Retailing

TOTAL NUMBER OF HB PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED:

Dianne Lishman

No need for a spellcheck when Dianne’s on deck; her employer Hawke’s Bay Today editor Andrew Austin values his trusty ‘sub’ for her precise attention to detail.

“Dianne’s experience and wisdom of age certainly helps her in her role and she’s highly valued by the team. As long as she is happy working, we are grateful for the role she plays in our newsroom and for the work she does.”

Being self-employed and the founder of his own iconic brand has enabled Te Mata Estate’s John Buck to keep his finger on the family business pulse at the age of 73. With three sons now in the business, he’s stepped aside from the day-to-day running like others in his position but remains an active chairman and overseer.

“Wine gets into your soul and is difficult to shake off. I’ve been a good steward of the land and for me now it’s all about passing it on in better shape than I got it.”

John says he’s never considered not working and muses that “the alternative isn’t worth contemplating”.

While the number of unemployed over 65-year-olds in Hawke’s Bay has risen over the past decade, economist Sean Bevin believes it’s a number now on the

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2001 - 5319 2006 - 3531 2013 - 5151

TOTAL NUMBER OF HB 65+ IN EMPLOYMENT

Construction

993

Agriculture

438

Manufacturing

*Sean Bevin, Economic Solutions

2006 - 3765 2013 - 5616

decline. And he should know, Sean’s been employed for his expert economic analysis for more than 30 years by local government, economic development organisations and the tourism and private sectors. At 62, Sean is also planning to work through his retirement.

“My job gives me tremendous subject variety and fulfillment. Playing with research and analysis keeps me mentally alert and I love regions and geography, learning what makes a place tick has given me a real thirst for my work.”

Experience is something money can’t buy; like a badge of honour, it is earned only through time and graft. Grey Power president Marie Dunningham cites ageism as still very common and says many over

John Buck

65-year-olds are leaving work because they feel they’re expected to, not necessarily because they want to.

“The pension isn’t enough to lead a civilized lifestyle; yes you can get by if you’re very prudent (as many of us are) but a lot of people want additional income so they can have monetary discretion.”

She adds: “People at any age need to feel worthwhile and a sense of belonging, working can do that. It’s vital for well-being; the cost on society of mental health and depression amongst the elderly is huge.”

With a bit of foresight Hawke’s Bay could lead the charge and reinvigorate our ‘not ready to retire’. Onestaff Recruitment Agency’s Megan Nicholson challenges more employers to consider the upshots.

“On the whole, my older candidates will outwork the younger generation because their work ethic is greater. In their day, if you wanted something you worked for it.

Nowadays, if we want something we put it on tick.

“The pride they take in their work and their ability to lead, motivate and challenge the youngsters are absolute assets to any business,” Megan says,

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Bruce Jackson

Dangling the Carat(s) with UNIO GOLDSMITH By Alisha Neilson Cutting out the ‘middleman’ by signing up to an international diamond buying network has seen business take on a new shine for respected Havelock North based Unio Goldsmith and Gallery.

Access to over 200,000 of the world’s finest ready-cut diamonds at the click of a button presents sparkling opportunities for Hawke’s Bay’s booming ready-to-wed market, which although largely seasonal, has helped boost business by over 24 percent in as many months.

“Business is going gangbusters at the moment, repeat customers are still the backbone of my business but we also produce a lot of engagement rings and wedding bands and one thing they all have in common is their desire to create something unique to them,” says Unio founder Bruce Jackson.

“Remaking family jewellery is the part of my business where my real passion lies – the emotion and stories behind some of the jewels and my part in continuing that story has evoked a few hugs and tears over the years. At times it’s hard not to become emotionally invested in people’s journeys but I like to think that’s what gives us a pretty special personalized service,” shares Bruce.

With over ten years of business in Havelock North’s Village Court, Unio Goldsmith has established a reputation for producing top-end bespoke pieces, specializing in commissions, repairs and sellers on behalf of several talented artists. As one of only a handful of traditionally trained jewellers operating in Hawke’s Bay, Bruce Jackson is proud of his craftsmanship heritage.

Working for 15 years for some of the most prestigious diamond houses in London like ‘Graff Diamonds’ honed his talents, before a seven year stint as a Perth based goldsmith, Bruce has worked on some spectacular pieces.

Laureate C K Stead’s walking stick but closest to his heart is being an active supporter of local charities, donating several personally made pieces to auctions.

“Business is going gangbusters at the moment, repeat customers are still the backbone of my business.”

– Bruce Jackson

Of Unio’s total turnover last year, Bruce Jackson estimates 74 percent of business was commission based or repairs, and with 7 out of 10 people through his doors converting to a sale, Unio has undoubtedly become a destination business.

“In London I worked on an $8 million necklace for an Indian client. Called the ‘Idol’s Eye’, the centre-stone was a 70.2 carat diamond which in today’s terms would be valued in the tens of millions.”

Bruce has also made rings for several Hollywood movie stars, the film industry including the original ‘Superman’ series and Arab royalty. A recent commission saw him create the silver cap and sleeve for NZ Poet

“We occupy a privileged position in the local community and seek to be an active part in its improvement. Most recently we donated a diamond pendant for Cranford Hospice that raised $10,000 at the SPARKLE Charity auction, and we’re currently sponsoring Hastings’ Edible Arts Awards. I find the benefits are worth it, people recognize my work and it’s a good way of doing business… if more people did that, we’d be better off,” says Bruce.

In an industry where perfectionism is a demand, Unio Goldsmith are experts in handmaking unique pieces, within the agreed budget. Whether it is solid platinum, white, rose, yellow gold or palladium, each design is crafted with love and exquisite attention to detail using only ethically sourced gems. www.unio.co.nz

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Events

The spotlight is set to shine on some of Hawke’s Bay’s brightest export industry heroes.

Entries are now open for the 2016 ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards.

The second annual event celebrates success of local businesses on a global stage.

To qualify, they must generate export earnings of more than $100,000 a year, and fall within the areas of Wairoa and Waipukurau.

Awards up for grabs include ASB Exporter of the Year – honouring outstanding performance and results; QBE Most exciting New Product in Export, for businesses that have been exporting for less than three years; and the NZL Container Co Innovation in Export Award, with a special focus on fresh ideas.

There’s also a Napier Port Most Sustainable in Export category, recognising those striving for environmental, economical and social sustainability.

ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay executive officer Amanda Liddle said entering was as much about flow-on benefits for business as it was taking home a prize.

She encouraged the region’s finest to take initiative and enter by filling out a simple form.

“Winning an award will significantly raise your company profile locally and internationally and will attract new business,” she said.

“Being shortlisted as a finalist will also build your brand and credibility in the marketplace.”

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Hastings school furniture design company Furnware won the won ExportNZ’s ASB Exporter of the Year Award as well as the QBE Innovation in Export Award last year.

It also provided a rare opportunity to reflect on recent achievements and growth.

“The big win comes from the process of preparing the application.

“Entering an award gives you a structure and process to step back and look at what you have achieved, what you have learned along the way, and get a clear focus on where you are going.”

Hastings school furniture design company Furnware won ExportNZ’s top Exporter of the Year prize for 2015.

They also took out the award for Icehouse Award Most Promising Business.

In their entry the company said it was extremely proud to have Hawke’s Bay in its DNA. “It makes us aspire to improve. We are significantly invested in the region in many

ways, from our manufacturing and head office operations through to our community and business links. “We believe our growth goes hand-in-hand with the region.”

Local exporters have until July 1 to enter this year, with winners named during a Hawke’s Bay Gala Awards Dinner on July 21.

This year’s judges are NZTE customer director Amanda Martin, Business Hawke’s Bay ceo Susan White and ASB head of international trade Mike Atkins.

The team, led by head judge and ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay chairman Alasdair MacLeod, will visit entrants from July 4 to 13, with finalists announced on July 14.

Alasdair said they would be looking for innovative businesses that not only showed growth and profit, but leadership and direction. Commitment to quality management and a clear export strategy were also vital elements.

He expected the caliber of entrants to be high, after last year’s event brought some of the provinces top performing companies to the table.

“All the judges feel a huge sense of pride that there are so many fabulous exporters in our region,” he said.

“These awards provide us with an opportunity to get out and see first hand the real stories behind the businesses.”As ExportNZ awards key partner, ASB bank were pleased to promote success stories and inspire other businesses.

ASB’s represenative judge Mike Atkins says it is important to support Kiwi’s making their mark internationally.

That level of enthusiasm reflected a real need for the ExportNZ Awards in Hawke’s Bay. It was not only an opportunity to showcase success, but a chance to build on relationships at a community level, Amanda says.

“Attending our popular and quickly sold out awards dinner and subsequent events gives you the opportunity to network with other business leaders and professionals.

“Achieving recognition in the awards can have a positive effect on staff morale, motivation and retention as it acknowledges their contribution to your business success.

It is a great way to attract new talent.”

“We came on board to help exporters of the Hawke’s Bay region boost their profile, while encouraging others to explore new markets and start to export,” he says.

HOW TO ENTER

“Export is vital to the success of New Zealand’s economy – the more people out there doing it, the better off we will be in future.”

GALA TICKETS

Being honoured at a local level gave them confidence and confirmation they were headed in the right direction.

Meet the judging panel

Alasdair MacLeod ExportNZ HB chairman

Amanda Martin NZTE customer director

Mike Atkins ASB

Susan White Business HB

Entry forms and criteria details, are available on the ExportNZ website www.exportnz.org.nz.

The awards are being held at the Old Church, Meeanee on July 21.

Tickets are available from www.hawkesbay.exportnz.org.nz or email amanda@exportnz.org.nz

An inaugural finals event held at The Old Church in Meeanee for 2015 was sold out within three weeks.

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• • • •

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CENTRAL

Empowering Business in the Central Region

an

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Pet Projects Keep Retiring Vet Busy HB

By Vivienne Haldane

Ian Walker

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Primary

Ian Walker is relaxing at home, having retired as managing director of Vet Services Hawke’s Bay Ltd (VSHB) at the end of March. His pet Siamese cats, Porgy and Bess vie for his attention as he sits looking out over a very green and manicured lawn at his home in the Central Hawke’s Bay countryside.

It’s taken a couple of days to clean out his office he says and “No, no regrets, I’ve done my bit and there are other things happening.”

By ‘other things’ he is referring to the 1,200-hectare sheep, beef and deer farm that he owns with his wife Helen and which is fully staffed. “I think the guys shudder knowing I will be around a bit more, now,” he laughs.

As well, he is a director both for CHB electricity line business, Central Lines and DEEResearch – the latter being a combination of Deer Industry NZ and AgResearch.

Ian has been long involved with the deer industry having taken an active interest in it from a veterinary and production perspective, since he graduated from Massey University in 1978. “When the deer industry first began in this country, we thought it might be a fly by night thing, but it now has well established markets for venison and deer velvet,” he says.

When reflecting about how VSHB has developed over the years he’s obviously very proud of the recognition they’ve received. In 2012 the company won the Westpac Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce Supreme Award – Business of the Year.

It became a contract practice in 1967 when the directors decided it made sense to create a business model with a level of stability.

Back then it was difficult to attract vets to rural areas. So farmer executives ran the vet club as a business and guaranteed a vet’s salary.

Ian explains, “The model was good and it got vets established in rural areas. The big factor is once you have vets who have been here for a while, they gain experience, they know the area and the conditions and that’s where the value comes. Retaining good people is always the important thing in terms of stability.”

VSHB now has 500 plus club members who own and maintain the clinic with Vet Services leasing it from them. There are 38 veterinarians and 80 support staff across clinics in Hastings, Napier, Waipukurau, Dannevirke and most recently, Masterton.

“The model was good and it got vets established in rural areas. The big factor is once you have vets who have been here for a while, they gain experience, they know the area and the conditions and that’s where the value comes.

– Ian Walker

A large part of VSHB’s business is retail and because of their ability to purchase volume, they are able to offer animal health products at competitive rates. “If you can’t be competitive, it’s not worth doing,” says Ian.

Ian joined VSHB in 1981 having come from the Bay of Plenty where he spent four years in a dairy vet practice. He worked in the field for 15 -20 years before taking over from Bert Middleberg as managing director in 2002.

As a young man he’d been drawn to veterinary science, “because it appealed. It was an outside job, you got around, and I enjoyed animals and farming and it all fitted together.”

Although not from a farming background he says he has always had an interest in farming.

“I understand the pressures, the finances and the business side and that’s a real plus. From a vet’s perspective that’s important in terms of our ability to understand and do things for farmers.”

Large animal practice is a very physical job he says. “You are always out and about in all sorts of weather and you really push yourself physically.”

Asked what are the most outstanding changes over the years? he says, “Modern technology is fantastic. Ultra sound development has been particularly huge.

Radiography has changed significantly from being a very manual process to now being automated, digital and fully portable. This allows procedures to be performed at stables and on farm. As well, there have been new products and new vaccines available over the last 30 years, which is always an advantage and can add real value for the farmer. From a farming point of view, it’s become a lot more business like, rather than being just a lifestyle. That’s a positive change.”

Does he have any advice for a young veterinarian starting out? “I tell them, work hard for 2-3 years then you will begin to develop some interests. One of the strengths of VSHB’s practice is you can afford to let people develop those interests before specialising further.”

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But he stresses that most importantly, “we provided a vehicle by which we retained good staff and provided a good service to our clients. That’s what has driven me.”

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Stars align for buoyant rural land demand Confidence in the HB economy is strong, leading to record land sales for horticultural land on the back of a buoyant pipfruit sector.

Bayleys, the number one rural real estate firm in New Zealand is leading the way locally with a team stacked with first hand farming and horticulture experience as well as sales expertise.

The last of this seasons apples are just being picked and packing is in full swing in what is a buoyant horticulture sector.

Pipfruit New Zealand reported production will be up 4 percent this year and there’s more good news on the horizon with a 17 percent growth for 2017. Horticulture is New Zealand’s fourth largest export earner – with exports valued at more than $2.5 billion annually. Bayleys Real Estate Hawke’s Bay Country Manager, Tony Rasmussen says this has had a three-fold impact; a need for more storage and packing facilities, record sale prices for orchard land and strong investor interest.

“We’ve already seen some new coolstore and packing facilities built such as the 20,000m2 Bostock New Zealand coolstore on Henderson Road, Hastings and the state of the art Rockit apple packing facility on Cooper Street, Havelock North as well as other existing facilities expanding.”

Strong Demand for orchard land Bayleys also sold a 10ha orchard on Crosses Road, Havelock North at the end of last year to an investor who could see the demand for leased land. It had strong interest from growers as well as lifestyle buyers looking to live close to town. In the latest Bayleys Country magazine it noted that there is very strong demand for existing apple orchards and for land suitable for conversion to apple growing.

“In some instances we are seeing former vineyard land being converted to capitalise on demand for quality pipfruit by both domestic and export markets”.

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An exciting new initiative is soon to be announced that will provide certainty and reliability of water, even in severe drought to landowners, growers and farmers across the Twyford catchment with.

“The Twyford growing region is the crème de la crème. It has the best soil you can get.

Land values in Twyford are the best they’ve ever been at around $100,000 a hectare and the pipfruit sector is riding a wave of success,” Tony says.

New Zealand’s largest growers, all of which have a strong presence in Hawke’s Bay are looking at expansion.

“The market is moving and the returns that are coming back are appealing and we’re also seeing that in viticulture too,” he adds.

“The Twyford growing region is the crème de la crème.

It has the best soil you can get. Land values in Twyford are the best they’ve ever been at around $100,000 a hectare and the pipfruit sector is riding a wave of success” – Tony Rasmussen

Resilience and Confidence set rural tone Meanwhile when it comes to the farming sector resilience and confidence are two words that farmers know very well. They are words that describe the current rural property market, too. The latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data shows total volumes and values of farms sold in 2015 were slightly lower than those recorded for 2014 but the rural property sector – across the board – is cyclical, just as the residential market is.

Lifestyle property a star performer In Hawke’s Bay REINZ reported limited rural activity due to a shortage of property; values holding well for good finishing properties at $20,000 to $25,000 per hectare and below $10,000 per hectare for grazing blocks. The median farm sale price for March 2016 was $2,200,000, while the median lifestyle price was $422,500 and specialist lifestyle was $1,450,000 in Hawke’s Bay. The lifestyle property market was the star performer of the rural sector last year with REINZ figures showing that more than $6 billion worth of lifestyle property changed hands. In Hawke’s Bay the lifestyle sector reported a lift in activity with sales figures for the period being stronger than the autumns of 2014 and 2015, with evidence of a ripple effect from the Auckland market.

Indications are that 2016 will be just as active in the lifestyle sector with many heartening fundamentals underpinning the market.

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The Bayleys Hawke’s Bay country team recently earned FarmSafe quad bike driver accreditation enabling them to comply with health and safety regulations when visiting farms. The team from left is Tim Wynne-Lewis, Kris August, Sam Twigg, Tony Mulvaney, Andy Hunter, Gary Brooks, Duncan McKinnon, Tony Rasmussen and Glyn Rees-Jones.

Low fuel prices, low interest rates and the growing desire for city-based folk to have less stress and more family time enhances the lifestyle property equation.

A team well positioned to sell – No 1 in real estate Bayleys Hawke’s Bay is well positioned to continue to dominate the rural and lifestyle real estate sector. The rural division was first started in 1999 by Gary Brooks who was then joined by Glyn Rees-Jones in 2000.

Gary is the General Manager of Bayleys East Coast and a part owner

with Glyn, Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Viticulture Manager; who says they now have a solid Hawke’s Bay team with a wide range of expertise in farms, orchards, vineyards and lifestyle properties. Collectively, they have completed over $750 million of land transactions.

“We cover Wairoa through to Dannevirke and we are now set to grow the business. Bayleys are New Zealand’s number one rural real estate brand and we cover all divisions of the commercial, industrial, residential and country sectors, backed with a sound knowledge in the primary sector”.

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Tools of the Recruitment Trade

Brent Paterson is the founder and Managing Director of Rural Directions Limited. He is involved in the Family Farming Entity in Patoka and the Agri-business Sector with the following Rural Directions Entities Rural Directions Recruitment & HR, Rural Directions Business Administration and Rural Directions Advisory. To contact Brent, email – brent@ruraldirections.co.nz.

By Brent Paterson | Rural Directions

All industries alike, the Recruitment Industry is no exception and lives by the statement “evolve or be prey”.

Gone are the days of word of mouth recruiting and the generic “back of a cigarette packet CV”. Fast forward to 2016 where technology plays an integral part in the recruitment process and the expectation that Employers and Job Seekers have a first class user experience.

The ease of communication and technology has evolved and influenced the way we provide our Recruitment Services to our Clients and Job Seekers. Our existing recruitment processes which once required an abundance of resources (such as labour and time) have now been made more efficient and cost effective through advancements in technology.

As a Recruitment Company focused on remaining innovative within the industry, we run a specialised and fully integrated recruitment system that sits within our website platform. Recruitment systems like ours are used as database and selection tools for the analysis of a job, receiving

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and managing applications, screening and evaluation and decision-making purposes.

Our database of Job Seekers is serviced regularly and the internet has allowed us to be more competitive within our sector and create and signal attraction to reach a wider pool of applicants.

When engaging with our clients we have evolved from going through Employer’s folders and looking at their black and white farm map on the wall (scaled in miles) to receiving a link to their website with a virtual farm tour filmed by a drone and webcams that track weather data.

There is prevalence in the ‘War for Talent’ within the industry where all Recruitment Companies are competing to attract the right people with the right skills. No longer is it just finding someone to do the job; it is about Best Fit where Job Seeker personalities, goals, interests and values match those of the Business culture.

Our upcoming Generation Y Professional Farm Managers (ages 17-34) are a great example of this concept as they desire to be a part of business success and like to understand what a business is trying to

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achieve. Heavily immersed in technology, this Generation uses social media profiles such as LinkedIn to display their personal job-related information. Gen-Y is likely to go into a job trying to understand what skills they will leave the job with. Our job is to understand how a business can develop someone and then match that with all of the other job requirements.

When evaluating a Job Seeker’s ‘Fit’ with a business, time and distance is now less of an issue. We have evolved to managing this through Skype, email, text, FaceTime and through talking on the phone. Through the use of all the tools and processes we still need to humanise the process and ensure faceto-face interaction to understand people’s mannerisms and personalities, whether this be in person or through these technological mediums.

The primary sector is such an interactive community and while technology assists us in our efficiencies in the recruitment process it does not replace the relationships and the value of reading people and matching them to the right opportunities. That is a skill that is built up over time leveraging experience and exposure in the sector.

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SEASONAL JOBS kick start careers

“It’s worked for me, it can work for you”

Dylan Exeter Horticulture App ren

tice

“There are so many differen t branches to follow”

Waiora Tareha Horticulture App rentice

Ryan May Senior Leading Hand

A seasonal labour shortage has Hawke’s Bay orchard workers calling on the region’s unemployed to give seasonal jobs a go as a way into more longterm work opportunities in the apple industry.

Once all without work, the team of eight say they are “living proof ” of how taking the initiative and getting a seasonal job has set them on the path to gaining fulltime employment. Now they are on their way, climbing the career ladder into different management and specialised roles and apprentiships.

Under the message “harvest your future” they are championing their industry as part of major recruitment drive to help inspire others to give it a go.

RJ Flowers horticultural cadet Lance Williams said working in the orchard is life changing.

“A year ago nothing was really going my way, but I backed myself and went for it”.

“I had dreams and aspirations of getting out there and doing something for myself, now I’m working full time and learning every day,” Lance says.

Having come off the unemployment benefit, Te Aroha Toa Toa, who is working for Bostock New Zealand in a quality control role, said she could see room to move and grow, with plenty of other orchard jobs ripe for the picking.

“I’m absolutely enjoying myself, I’m loving being outside. I’m loving the fresh air,” says Te Aroha.

Turners and Growers Senior Leading Hand Ryan May said there were so many branches to follow.

“I started as a casual, now I’m looking after a team of 20 on the orchard, on my first day I learnt how to graft an apple tree and I’ve never stopped learning,” says Ryan.

Forklift driver, Tennyson Kemp, who works for Mr Apple said he started stacking apple boxes, now he’s in fulltime employment. “If you show good work ethic, you can go far in this industry,” he said.

Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says the workerled campaign is the start of a major recruitment drive to attract more New Zealanders to the industry.

“With the current labour shortage and the record crop forecast, the New Zealand industry will need 20,000 seasonal and full time jobs

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Harvest Your Future “Give it a go, you’ll enjoy it”

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“It’s great being part of a crew, I love the work and people”

Te Aroha Toa Toa Qua

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w working full-tim e. Join us and st e’re art harvesting your future today.

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by 2020. Over four years this will create about 450 fulltime and 5000 extra seaonal jobs, with over half of them in Hawke’s Bay. Alan says when people talk about their own life experience and how joining the apple industry has changed their lives, it speaks volumes.

“Provincial New Zealand is prospering, we are growing the regional economies and creating jobs but we are facing a labour challenge.”

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Leading her way Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Nadine Tunley wants to see more young people entering her industry, – where exciting job and career opportunities are ripe for the picking.

Nadine Tunley

Nadine Tunley has a natural knack for doing jigsaw puzzles.

“I love piecing it all together and coming up with the final picture.”

It’s a talent she enjoys putting to work as chairman of Pipfruit New Zealand – the grower representative organisation for the country’s $700-million apple and pear industry.

“It’s both exciting and challenging looking at how we are bringing all the different areas of the organisation together and the thousands of people across the country and the world who are working to develop, grow, harvest, export and market our world-leading apples.”

At 41 Nadine, after 18 months as a director, was then elected chair of the board.

Now, three years into her role and on the back of what business commentators are now calling a “purple patch” for pipfruit, Nadine says she’s mindful that this is not a time to sit back.

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“If we stay ahead of the game we will continue to enjoy sustainable growth. And this means continuing to be open minded and prepared to keep thinking differently.

Our international competitors are certainly watching us.

“As a primary sector industry we’ve led the charge on so many fronts for New Zealand.

We’ve faced significant change and been prepared to make bold decisions.

“From deregulation, to the turbulent years which have now led exporter and grower consolidation and a more stable and vertically integrated industry. Combined with our world leading innovation and new technologies we have gained a real market edge which see us in top position for international competitiveness.”

A point of difference to her leadership style is a grassroots focus and commitment to getting out to the people in the industry.

Together with chief executive Alan Pollard, they have made it a priority to ensure those

they represent are engaged and across what’s happening throughout the industry – not just in their own area of the business.

“When I started in the role we were already transitioning into a more cohesive industry, with less fragmentation and we’ve concentrated on building and strengthening these relationships between the different divisions of the industry.

“We are a grower and associate member organisation, so it is critical we represent their interests and keep everyone engaged beyond their area of the business.

Nadine is committed to attracting a new generation of New Zealanders into her industry and convincing them that this is and will continue to be one of the most exciting sectors to work in, to grow careers and follow different pathways.

“You can align your interests and education to almost anything you want – science, innovation, technology, practical and handson, outside, inside, machinery, marketing,

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sales, logistics, exports, food production, food safety, biosecurity, teaching, finance, business – you name it, we’ve got it.

“I often say to people, who knows what apples people will be eating and or how our international customers might buy them or even grow them in twenty to fifty years from now. It won’t be me doing it, but if you are about to enter high-school or start primary school you will be.”

Nadine’s CV speaks volumes and while she’s not yet ready for a full-time career in governance, given the diversity and skillset she brings to the table, she’s the got the ability and attributes more boards are seeking.

I’ve had to learn how to apply this strategy, and how to work with and harness everyone’s experience and skill sets around the boardroom table to provide that strategic input.

“I realised very early on that to be a good director I would need to surround myself with people who could help me to develop into the role.”

Nadine, approached one of New Zealand’s most experienced primary sector corporate governance leaders Bill Falconer to be her mentor.

“I wanted to find someone who was going to help challenge me to look “I realised very early on that to be a for the things I was going to come good director I would need to surround up against. I’m not sure what he myself with people who could help me expected but he took me on, and we’ve been working together ever since. I think you need to develop into the role.” to have someone who can come at things – Nadine Tunley from a perspective that you respect and She further developed her governance value, but also let’s you find your own way.” skills with an associate directorship role Nadine says her talent for piecing together with Ngai Tahu Holdings and then Ngai is the reason she loves working in business Tahu Seafood. In Nelson she was a trustee start ups and development. “When a for The Cawthron Institute and served business is working well, for me, that’s when as an independent director for two other I’m looking for the next challenge. companies.

“That’s why I find the primary produce With age on her side, and an incredible industry so rewarding – there are always new drive and passion for doing, Nadine is challenges. fully aware of why at this time in her life she doesn’t want to completely cross over Nadine was originally from Hawke’s Bay the divide to a fulltime governance career. and as a nine-year-old moved to Taranaki “As someone who likes to get the job done, where her parents were in the hotel business.

Nadine Tunley with Pipfruit NZ chief executive Alan Pollard

After college she travelled overseas before starting a career in finance and business development.

With her husband Pat and their two children, Nadine moved to Nelson for job opportunities and her first taste of the pipfruit sector. In 2006 she was the cofounder of a new specialist export company.

In late 2013 Freshmax New Zealand, a fully integrated export and marketing company to over 25 countries purchased Energie Produce Ltd. Today Nadine is based at its Omahu site working as its Global Exports Manager.

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New Level for Primary Sector Awards Hawke’s Bay A & P Society president Richard Chambers said recognising and celebrating primary sector excellence has reached a new level in Hawke’s Bay. “We are celebrating those who are leading and working incredibly hard, they are all dedicated to their different sectors – they are making a real difference and helping make our region successful.”

“Hawke’s Bay’s primary sector is a phenomenal success story, it has grown through diversity and innovation and is the backbone of our economy supporting industry, “The region’s primary sector is in good hands”.

Central Hawke’s Bay farmers Grant and Sally Charteris, of Forest Road Farm won this year’s Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year.

Peter Tod (Chairman Napier Port HB Primary Sector Awards), Rob Hewett (Chairman Silver Fern Farms), Grant & Sally Charteris (Winners Silver Fern Farms HB Farmer of the Year)

Farming 320ha in Tikokino with a mix of deer, beef and sheep, the judges said the couple had a real passion for their industry, understood their market and their consumer, while having a vision outside the farm gate for their business and their commitment to the wider deer industry.

Awards chairman Peter Tod said the Charteris’ had demonstrated outstanding physical and financial performances.

“It was a privilege to see their passion for their farm, their business and their family and Grant’s inherent ability with his stock and his attention to the detail of their welfare was a privilege to see.

“Progressive by name, progressive by nature” Craig Hickson earned the title of 2016 Hastings District Council Primary Sector Industry Leader of the Year.

The managing director of Progressive Meats, Craig is regarded as one of the meat industry’s innovating leaders and dedicated his entire career to breaking new ground.

In 2012 Craig was awarded Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the year for an outstanding contribution to the industry, four years later he was named Ernst Young New Zealand Entrepreneur of the year.

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Grant and Sally Charteris, of Forest Road Farm won this year’s Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year

Diversity has been the key to success for, Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Farm Foresters of the Year Rob and Jean Ennor.

Their Ranui Farm, a 400ha Porangahau sheep and beef property, has been opened up to the public as a site for learning and exploration and regularly welcomed school and tourist groups.

Bright spark Olivia Ellis has been given a leg up on her journey to become an expert in the science of farming with the Lawson Robinson Hawke’s Bay A&P Scholarship.

Celebrating Excellence

Recipient Bay de Lautour with Laurie Dowling Memorial committee member Roy Fraser

The fourth year Lincoln University student is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture Science with honours, focusing on sheep genetics.

Raised on the family farm in Onga Onga, Olivia’s love of the outdoors and farming helped to steer her chosen career.

Bay de Lautour can spin a good yarn about wool, but it’s dedication that saw him take out the Laurie Dowling Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Hawke’s Bay. Showing keen interest from an early age, Bay has spent many hours working tirelessly to benefit New Zealand’s wool industry.

Bay was a founding director of the East Coast Wool Co-operative, 1974, based in Dannevirke, and then chaired the company when it became Primary Wool Co-operative.

Today the company owns a 50 percent share in CP Wool, which trades locally and offshore, is a major shareholder in NZ Yarn and owns international wool carpet brand Just Shorn.

He was involved in funding the Campaign for Wool in New Zealand and became a founding member of the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group (WRIG) in 1970.

Bay’s tenacious efforts were praised in 2000 when he was made a member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to farming.

Bayley’s Primary Sector Professional of the Year winner Phil Tither

While Bay is still involved in the family’s Te Whangai Romney Stud, son Hamish took over in the 1980s and grandson Harry has now joined the team.

AgFirst director Phil Tither’s significant contribution to the rural professional sector earned him the inaugural Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Professional of the Year award.

Along with his years of experience, Phil was recognised for bringing young talent into farm consultancy roles and the development of Farmax, a pre-eminent tool for farm management.

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We’ve now made it easier for you to stay informed during a power outage, simply by using your smart phone.

Our mobile-friendly website allows you to see current, scheduled or recent power outages in and around Hastings and Napier, as well as a few simple checks you can perform to find out whether the problem is on our network, or in the home. find out more at

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Finance

Finance

Volatility Investment 101:

Sell or keep calm and carry on?

By Tobias Taylor | Spicers Portfolio Management

Markets will always be volatile – bear in mind that a lot of it is noise – and that is why it is prudent to base your investment decisions on an assessment of your own personal situation rather than on what the markets are doing (and always take expert advice before acting).

However, it’s probably in these exact conditions we’re experiencing in early 2016 that investors in the moderate-toconservative space will see the defensive aspects of their portfolios come into play.

The more recent rally from the downturns of January this year highlights the need for a diversified portfolio (if we need an understanding of volatility, then the past six months serve as a good model) across many asset classes.

A drop in January and a recent recovery shows that any short-term decisions in the past six-month period would have been unbeneficial to your investment portfolio.

Of course, share market volatility is very much unwanted and still not pleasant but a diversified portfolio, together with appropriate asset mix, can continue to create growth while still distributing the required income according to your needs.

The key is to put a time frame to your goals and take expert advice on how to structure your portfolio in a way that gives you the distributed income you require while also creating medium and long-term growth.

The cost of higher share returns is volatility

When all is said and done, volatility is the cost of the higher returns that we get from equities. Viewed in this context, it’s obvious that selling in times of volatility is the wrong thing to do. Every good portfolio needs to be based on your individual needs and goals, and the appropriate asset allocation must apply.

A marketplace is by definition a meeting place of people with different views on assets. For every optimist there is a pessimist, or we wouldn’t have sellers and buyers, it’s a healthy function of markets.

To be the one that takes advantage of the market, your engagement and transactions should be built on a well-defined and researched plan that has real needs and goals.

Opportunists need not apply because while opportunists may do well in the short-term, in the end the averages take care of the marginal operators and a quality approach always floats to the top.

NZ dairy’s struggles not the whole story

On the local front, the chief executive of Business New Zealand, Kirk Hope, recently wrote that New Zealand has a “broad-based economy, not as devastated by the drop in dairy prices as might have been the case a few years ago”. He has a point. I believe that while dairy may be struggling – and it is a large part of the economy – it is not the whole story and here in the Hawke’s Bay, it’s a fair bit less of the whole story (New Zealand’s GDP growth is expected at three percent for 2016, which is better than most developed countries at the moment).

Our largest export earner is tourism and that’s booming. Horticulture is doing well, we have record immigration numbers and we have a healthy construction sector. These are keeping the economy on a steady growth path.

On a local front here in the Hawke’s Bay, I understand from local accountants that sheep and beef farming is experiencing a sustained period of prosperity, orchardists are producing healthy crops and wine makers are turning out quality vintages.

There is a view that pockets of distress, like dairy, are not enough to undermine the economy. We’re more resilient than that and if you have a balanced portfolio allocation – combined with appropriate income assets – you’re also going to be better prepared too.

The big challenges for 2016 are historically low interest rates and a volatile equity market, but by working with experts you will be able to achieve the appropriate investment allocation needed for your short-term income needs as well as your long-term goals.

Sources: GDP Growth: http://nzier.org.nz/news/ www.stuff.co.nz/business/77998232/kirk-hope-dairy-struggles-dontrepresent-whats-going-on-in-the-nz-economy

Tobias Taylor is an Authorised Financial Adviser (AFA) with Spicers Portfolio Management. He has more than 15 years’ experience providing financial advice and is based in the Hawkes Bay area. To contact Tobias email tobias@spicershb.co.nz Tobias Taylor has a disclosure document that is available on request and is free of charge. The information in this article is of a general nature only and is no substitute for personalised advice. To the extent that any of the above content constitutes financial advice, it is class advice only. If you would like advice that takes into account your particular financial situation or goals, please contact your Financial Adviser.

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We’re a port city, but do we know it and accept it, and are we planning for it?

By Cameron Drury | Cheal Consultants

It may seem strange to immediately answer ‘yes’ to a somewhat probing rhetorical question, but generally speaking there is a high acknowledgment that we are in fact a port city and yes, we are generally planning for it (kind of) and it’s within this ambiguity that some interesting observations can be made.

People will have different thoughts on the port. Retailers will value the tourism industry it delivers while primary producers will consider it their gateway to national and international markets. Some Napier Hill residents may raise noise or visual concerns while their neighbours may take great interest in its operations. Access to the port, road and rail, is an ongoing debate involving a range of conflicting interests, and it just so happens that this debate is being played out within two of Napier’s iconic and main recreational environments – Marine Parade and the Ahuriri Waterfront area.

The Napier Port’s surrounds also pose interesting planning dilemmas. It makes sense to have Industrial Zones nearby yet part of these areas are where the community also wishes to live, work and play and are overlooked by many other residential environments. Both of Napier’s gateways are also characterized by Industrial Zones and this in itself may challenge some urban design or city marketing paradigms.

The reality of the situation is that Napier Port is of critical importance to the region and unless there is some unimaginable improvement in transport efficiency, it is here to stay. This isn’t a bad problem to have, however, when one considers the value of a well-functioning port. Take Singapore, for example. Although of a completely different scale, the success of Singapore was borne out of its geographical location to international shipping routes, which its port provides a gateway to. Furthermore, the situation and challenges we have inherited aren’t unique, it’s just that Napier is of a scale and shape that matters associated with the port seem to permeate many topics.

Although one could say that they acknowledge Napier as a port city because they see cruise ships and containers being loaded, and may go onto agree that through having an ‘Inner and Outer Noise Boundary’ in the District Plan 42

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Napier Port

we are planning for it, it’s not until one goes further and challenges views around specific topics that you can really develop a feel for how well the community acknowledges that indeed we are a port city.

Should we be surprised when we see containers being stored in Industrial Zones?

When was this not the right place to undertake such activities? Why should we grow frustrated with large trucks within urban environments when we have settled alongside the coast wrapping ourselves around the port? Why should dredging activities seem such a foreign concept when in fact they are common practice in relation to many ports around the world?

Challenging and developing views on direct and indirect matters pertaining to the topic of the port will inevitably continue, however the matter extends further than just Napier. Take water storage, for example. The purpose of this is to store water during times of high flow for use during times of low flow in order to maintain or increase rural productivity. Much of the end product grown is then exported, i.e., from the port.

Presuming we are trying to increase productivity in the rural sector (while managing water quality and quantity), enabling Napier Port is pretty important.

Things happen in between as well, and this is where we need to ensure that the District Plan

is in line with our broader regional economic development objectives. Interestingly, the establishment of cool stores more than 2,500 m2 in gross floor area, which isn’t large, and where the products from primary production are stored are classified as non-complying activities under the Hastings District Plan – the most restrictive activity status before being prohibited. Sure the Plains Zone needs to be preserved for production but its efficient functioning relies on associated development, and it may not be the best approach to drive these sorts of support activities to Industrial Zones where the cost of development may be considerably more expensive.

So while we can ask the community if we’re a port city and are we planning for it, the same question needs to be at the forefront of our regional planning documents, and there needs to be a high degree of integration to ensure that we are managing the associated effects of the port within our urban environments while maximizing what is in fact a massive regional asset.

Cameron Drury is a Full Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and a Senior Planner with Cheal Consultants with the role of Regional Manager of the Hawkes Bay operation. Email Cameron at cameron@ cheal.co.nz. Cheal provides expert services in the fields of Planning, Surveying and Civil, Geotechnical and Traffic Engineering. Offices are located in Hawke's Bay, Taupo, Ohakune, Taumaranui and Rotorua.

PRO IT

Are you a good computer user?

By Wray Wilson | Need a Nerd

Here at Need a Nerd, we think there are a few crucial things that every computer user should do whether you’re in business or at home. If you’re at the office quite a few of these things should (hopefully) be looked after for you – you may wish to check if you’re not sure. If you’re at home, the onus falls on you to make sure they’re being done. When it comes to computer security many of us ride our luck.

So to drill a little deeper……

So what are the things that we think every computer user should be across?

If you want to be able to recover your files in future, you need a proper backup. Ideally it shouldn’t rely on you doing it – it should be automatic and stored in a different place to the computer/data being backed up.

• A good backup (not just a cloud storage plan) that doesn’t rely on the user to initiate it (because we all forget and then we risk losing our data) • An effective programme that protects you from viruses and malware (because the freebies often don’t cut the mustard) • A regime that keeps your computer up to date with the latest operating system software updates and patches so that you’re not exposed to avoidable risk • Automatic regular maintenance on your computer to make it last longer, like defrags and disk health checks (when’s the last time you did that?)

• Keeping up to date with the benefits and risks of today’s rapidly changing technology environment.

A good backup Cloud storage (for instance the free Dropbox plan) is not a backup – it is simply a mirror of the data on your computer. The risks with Cloud Storage plans include not being able to get a file back if you delete it, or your files being encrypted by ransomware like CryptoLocker.

Virus and malware protection There are many antivirus programmes available in retail stores or over the internet. These programmes offer differing levels of protection which loosely fall into three categories – free, antivirus and security suites.

At the very least you should ensure you have a free programme (just make sure it’s not a virus – it happens!), but if you can afford it (and believe me it’s worth it) you should get the best protection available – a security suite. Security suites defend you against the full range of nasties that can infect your computer be they viruses, spyware or adware.

Keeping up to date Updates can be a real nuisance – they generally arrive when you don’t have time to do them and they seem to happen constantly.

Having a computer with the updates turned off or not running regularly is like living in a house with the doors unlocked. Intruders might not come to the door all the time, but if they do, they can walk straight in.

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Maintenance The maintenance you should be doing revolves mainly around the hard drive of your computer. This is one of the most ‘exercised’ components of a computer because it stores everything and as such it needs attention to make sure that it remains in the best shape possible.

Maintenance tasks include smart disk checks, disk defrags, check disks and cleaning out temp files. It should also involve blowing the dust off the components as build-up can cause overheating.

So if you’ve got all that covered off, good work. If you haven’t, take a moment to consider what you stand to lose if something goes awry. 2016 promises to be a year of considerable risk for computer users – the more connected we are, the more at risk we are. If you’re worried about it have a chat with us – we’ve got products designed specifically for small business and home users to take the worry out of computing.

Wray Wilson is the chief executive of Need a Nerd. Need a Nerd is a nationwide technical sales and support business to the SME and residential market. Email wwilson@needanerd.co.nz MAY - AUGUST 2016

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EDUCATION

Double Celebration for Computing Graduate Cory Casbolt celebrated at both EIT graduation days this year.

On the first day, he was capped with his Bachelor of Computing Systems. The following day he was back in Napier’s Municipal Theatre to see his fiancée Sonja Gugich capped with her Bachelor of Recreation and Sport.

A huge enthusiast of an EIT education, Cory points to how it has improved his own life. Although he found tertiary study a challenging three years, not least because son Lucas was born while the couple were still studying, it has channelled him into a job he loves, working as a network administrator for school furniture manufacturer Furnware New Zealand.

Growing up in Hastings and now living in Napier, Cory lost interest in study when he was in the seventh form. Keen to earn money, he went on to work in local orchards for the next three years.

Injured playing football for the Western Rangers, Cory needed surgery and had to take six months off work. He used that time to reflect on what he wanted to do with his life.

“I knew how to work hard,” he says, “but decided I wanted to start using my brain a bit more. I wanted to earn more, that was a biggie.””

Cory Casbolt enjoyed a family graduation.

EIT think tank EIT’s degree and post-graduate programmes are underpinned by quality lecturer research activity, which directly links to their teaching.

Ranked in the top two polytechnics/institutes of technology, independently assessed EIT academic staff research performance is held in high regard in NZ.* * Official ranking of The Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) audit by the Tertiary Education Commission every six years.

Above image: Experiencing the Ill-Defined: Student Centred Learning.

Cheryl McConnell, Gillian Postlewaight, Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) lecturers.

0800 22 55 348 | research.eit.ac.nz

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After four years of no study Cory enrolled in EIT’s Diploma in Information and Communications Technology, reasoning that this would at least give him the tertiary qualification after a year.

Finding the diploma study “not easy but do-able”, he then crosscredited into the degree programme.

In the first semester of his final year he shared an IT management course with his future boss, Furnware’s group manager of information systems Robert Merwood, who was enrolled in EIT’s Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology programme.

That contact led to Cory taking on the Bachelor of Computing Systems’ internship at Furnware and, at the end of that, the offer of a permanent full-time position.

“The scope of the job and the growth potential are so good,” the 25-year-old says of the Hastings-based company. “They’re also great to work for. In my final semester, I still had a further course to complete the degree and Furnware was really accommodating about that.”

Cory is also impressed with EIT. Feeling settled in Hawke’s Bay, he welcomed the opportunity to study locally. He rates the computing school’s “state-of-the-art” equipment, committed teaching staff and the comparatively small classes.

“You get to know the lecturers quite well. I think you’re more of a number at a university, a face in a lecture theatre. At EIT, they’re always there to answer your questions and they know you all by name.

It really struck me, the level of personal interest in your learning.”

Cory says he’d recommend EIT to anyone.

“It’s more than just a polytech, it’s got a lot to it. It’s given me the base to better myself and get up the career ladder. It was three years well spent.”

PRO HR

The Busy Trap It seems everyone I talk to these days is really busy – busy at work, with kids, in the community...

By Kimberly McKay | BDO Central

Most of us would agree that we would rather be busy than not have enough to do, but have we developed an addiction to busy-ness? And if so, is this addiction healthy?

On the weekend we also feel the need to achieve a great deal – household chores, mow the lawn, clean the car, school sport, exercise and squeeze in a bit of socialising if you can. There is a real sense of failure if we can’t say we’ve had a productive day, every day. We train our kids in busy-ness at an early age, packing in hectic after-school activities – music, sport, swimming lessons, extra tutoring and so on.

Of course mobile devices mean we can be busy and accessible all day every day. Instead of reading a book or newspaper on the bus while in transit, we answer emails, schedule appointments and phone clients. With hands-free we can be busy working while we’re driving. Thank goodness all those Aucklanders can be productive while they’re stuck in traffic.

On the job, if we are not busy doing work, we’re busy planning it – filling the calendar with meetings, projects, deadlines and networking. As well as meetings and phone calls, we now have vast volumes of emails demanding our attention, and we still get old-fashioned mail too. While all of these activities are crucial for a successful career/ business, they are time consuming.

It appears as though all this rushing around could be preventing us from thinking clearly and delivering quality. Do we give ourselves and our colleagues enough time for the important things, such as: • Clearing head space for creativity, innovation and real blue-sky thinking • Reviewing and evaluating what we have done in order to learn and improve, and time to share those lessons

In many professions work activity is recorded in units of time that can be reported on and analysed in great detail.

Business KPIs are all about the outputs (and they need to be), with some recognition that quality takes focus. When we are so busy and bombarded it’s hard to focus on one thing for very long, or even one thing at a time, and outputs and quality can be affected. And although multitasking sounds impressive, it doesn’t always produce the best results for all tasks undertaken.

Time management gurus will tell you the answer is to be better organised so you better manage your schedule and get everything done. In my view we need to reconsider how much we are trying to do, how much time we allow for doing it and how stressed we become about delivering everything perfectly and on time. Some of this stress we generate ourselves if we are inclined to be perfectionists, but it can also be the result of unrealistic expectations.

There is a lot of literature about the ‘revolt against busy-ness’, which may strike a chord with you if you can prioritise some time to do some reading.

A place to start may be reflecting on your personal expectations when it comes to managing your workload, as well as how your colleagues manage theirs and the overall culture of your workplace. What kind of messages are you sending and surrounded by in your organisation?

• Do people notice when you are under pressure? Do you notice when they are?

• When your workload is high, is there likely to be a light at the end of the tunnel or will it become an ongoing saga?

• Can you ask for help if your workload becomes too high? Do you offer help to those colleagues who are obviously very busy?

• Researching new procedures, methods or technology

• Are you encouraged to take leave or take time to rest and refresh after a busy period?

• Getting to know clients and stakeholders in order to build meaningful relationships

• Do your rewards and recognition criteria reinforce long work hours and unhealthy habits?

Managing workload appropriately makes good business sense. It will contribute positively to quality and customer service, staff engagement and retention, wellbeing and absenteeism. Stress and fatigue are also workplace hazards and managing them is part of your health and safety responsibilities.

So, buck the trend. If you want something done, don’t ask a busy person to do it, they will say yes because that’s the kind of person they are and they will get it done but at what cost? And remember to be a star colleague and to offer help to your workmates when you do come across some spare time.

Kimberly McKay is a Human Resource Consultant at BDO Central. She has extensive experience assisting both small and large employers with all aspects of their HR needs.

BDO Central are Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, with offices in Napier and Palmerston North.

They are able to support clients with a comprehensive suite of accounting, information systems and HR services.

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PRO Legal

Employment law update Recent changes to Employment Act not be too stressful.

By Scott Smith | Bramwell Grossman Lawyers

If you follow the news you’d think that being an employer has just become impossibly complicated but don’t let the media’s search for the sensational distract you. The recent changes to the Employment Relations Act are not so hard to understand, and those who have wound themselves up over the calculation of holiday pay may need a holiday themselves.

Holidays first. When a person is on paid leave it seems obvious that they should be paid for that day as if they were working it. But the obvious is not always simple.

The present problems have arisen because there are two ways to calculate how much a normal day’s pay is, and the employer is obliged to select the one most advantageous to the employee.

The first method is to look at the person’s ’ordinary weekly pay’, an average taken over the past four weeks. This might be thought of as their current earnings. The second is to look at their ’annual average’, measured over the past 12 months. That is more of a general position taking in ups and downs.

Those two measures can produce different outcomes, and the measure that is best for any particular employee may depend on when it is they take their holiday. An oblivious example is where someone’s rate of pay moves from $20 an hour to $30 an hour. If the method chosen is the last four weeks it will reflect the higher rate, but the 12-month average might be predominately the old rate. Likewise, if the employee works paid overtime in winter but takes a holiday in summer, the figure based on the past four weeks might ignore the winter’s higher earnings whereas the annual figure includes it in the averaging. The sign to look out for is fluctuations in earnings.

Your payroll service provider will no doubt be onto this issue and will (or soon will) have ways for you to check past payments; but for big organisations, such as MBIE, the numbers add up and make for good headlines high in embarrassment value.

The changes to the Employment Relations Act address zero-hour contracts and two related topics. Zero-hour contracts are out. In essence, a zero-hour contract 46

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requires the employee to work when requested but doesn’t promise any request will be made. All such agreements must now have a base number of hours that are guaranteed, be founded on genuine reasons and provide reasonable compensation to the employee for the need to be available. If the agreement falls short, the requirement that the employee be available is not enforceable.

What are genuine reasons and how much compensation is reasonable? The Act provides guidance on both issues but doesn’t contain a set of ins and outs. We will have to await case law to set the boundaries.

Two other changes appear to be directed at cutting off potential zero-hour work-arounds. Secondary employment restrictions must now have a genuine reason and the reason(s) must be stated in the agreement itself. Likewise, if the employer

wants to allow for shift cancellation, that needs to be in the employment agreement.

The agreement must specify a reasonable notice period to be given prior to the cancellation and provide for reasonable compensation to be paid to the employee as recompense for the cancellation. Fail to meet those requirements and the employer will be obliged to pay the employee for the cancelled shift as if they worked it. As with the availability requirements, the grey areas will need to be fleshed out through case law.

But now would be a good time to have your template employment agreements reviewed, particularly those for casual staff.

Scott looks after a wide range of civil litigation. including employment matters.

PRO

Property

The Tender Value of Your New Home

By Paul Harvey | Williams’ Harvey Registered Valuers

The growing positivity of the Hawke’s Bay real estate market has been well documented in our local press and general media in recent months. Statistics from numerous sources show evidence of our local average sale prices increasing. Over a 12-month period ending February 2016, the average sale price for Napier was $352,995, up 7.1 percent from the previous year, and an increase of 8.7 percent in Hastings with an average sale price of $326,0921.

More significantly there is also a lack of stock, which is a driver in increasing sale prices as buyers are experiencing competition from multiple offers and do not want to miss out on their purchase. Many real estate agents are now also reporting quicker selling times, with properties spending a much shorter time on the market.

In a word the local market is running hot and we have seen a growing trend in vendors and real estate agents selling their homes by tender or auction or by a certain deadline. They are opting for a ‘no price marketing’ approach as they find the current market too hard to gauge in terms of achievable value.

A tender A tender is a way of marketing and selling property and encourages a competitive offer situation where each tenderer is unaware of what the other is offering. The reasons for choosing to sell a house by tender are many and diverse, however, the most common are: • The real estate agent feels that there will be a number of people interested in the house and a tender is a good way to structure a multiple-offer situation.

• The vendor wants a strong marketing campaign with a set time frame. The house will be marketed intensively over the days/ weeks leading up to the tender date.

• The property is unique and difficult to value; a tender lets the market decide the value.

• A house being sold by tender can give the illusion that there is strong interest in the property; this is a clever marketing technique that implies a multiple-offer situation when in fact there is likely to be little interest in the property.

A tender process is different from an auction because of two crucial points: • The tender offer can include conditions (an auction bid is an unconditional offer).

• When tendering you don’t know what other potential buyers of the property (tenderers) are offering, unlike an auction where bids are open and transparent.

This ‘no price marketing’ strategy puts the onus on both the vendor and the buyer to educate themselves with regard to the market. Consequently, our office has seen an increase in instructions to value properties for sale purposes so that the client can not only establish a value but also understand the range the property sits in for that locality and property type. Prudent buyers are doing the same. A valuation report has the latest sales that are comparable to the property that is being marketed and is the best way to accurately gauge a property’s value.

Furthermore, if you require mortgage security the stakeholders/ lending institutions are requiring a valuation, especially as many of the properties are selling well above their rating valuation.

Therefore, when buying or selling a property there is always a concern that you may be offering too much and conversely when selling, there is a concern that you could be underselling. The only way to eliminate the guesswork is to get a professional to value your property. Registered valuers are an independent third party who can value your property at the current market value. It would be prudent in the current climate to get a valuation report before buying or selling a property.

Paul Harvey is the Director of Williams’ Harvey Registered Valuers. He has a diverse and broad knowledge of the HB property market. To contact Paul, email: paulharvey@williamsharvey.co.nz MAY - AUGUST 2016

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Business

Tax, it’s a strange thing There are some strange taxes around the world, fortunately though there are not too many in New Zealand.

By Cedric Knowles | KNOWLedge Accountants

In some way or another, tax has been around since the dawn of civilisation.

While the first known income tax was actually imposed in 1861, there have been plenty of examples before and since of strange taxes. Following are a few examples from around the world that make me think maybe our system in New Zealand is not quite as bad as we sometimes think!

they had paid their beard tax. Given Peter’s reputation, I expect the penalty would have been removal of the beard along with the head it was attached to.

• War taxes have also been common. Oliver Cromwell taxed the Royalists 10 percent of their income and used the money to fight them, quite strategic thinking! On the other side of the coin, a tax known as scutage or ’cowardice tax’ could be paid by knights if they did not want to go into battle.

• In Ireland, artists do not pay tax on the sale of artworks, provided that the tax Tax collectors have had some creative ideas department thinks they are good! over the years! However, if you Google • In some states of the USA (where else?!), ’strange tax laws New Zealand’, you come hot-air balloons incur land tax for the time up empty-handed, which is probably a good they are tied to the ground but not when thing. In saying that, there are still many areas of our tax laws that cause uncertainty they’re airborne. or are quite obscure. I’m often asked, “can • There was quite a fuss when New Zealand I claim such and such” or “my friend said floated the idea of a ’fart tax’ on cattle I can do something or rather”, and what – the government was simply copying often happens is that things are claimed Denmark, where your most flatulent cow for or done that are fine until a tax auditor would cost you around $160. comes along.

• Just to prove that they will never leave you One of the main areas where care is needed alone, the tax department in Sweden is the – as the potential amounts involved are quite agency that approves or declines newborn large – is in claiming interest payments. There babies’ names. is a basic rule that applies in most situations: • Breakfast cereal manufacturers in Canada anything you claim must be related to earning get a tax break for toys that they put in income. Let’s say you have owned a rental cereal boxes – the exemption does not property for 10 years and it now has a heap of equity, you decide to top-up the mortgage apply if the toys are alcoholic!

Vehicle Graphics on the rental property and use it to upgrade • The Russian tsar Peter theBuilding Great would / Shop Fronts not have approved of the current crop of your family home. It is surprising how many people think the interest on the top-up is tax Signs All Blacks; men with beardsFootpath were required to carry a receipt at all times to prove that deductible because it is a mortgage on a rental property. Unfortunately it is not claimable

because the money was used for the personal house, not to spend on the rental property.

This scenario is even worse in cases I have seen where the family home is sold and the money is used to pay off a rental property mortgage and is then redrawn when a new house is bought or built.

Another somewhat obscure area that has been causing problems recently is the taxation of pensions being transferred to New Zealand from overseas. With immigration at record levels, this affects more and more people. Most people think of pensions/superannuation as being taxfree, but New Zealand is putting its hand out for a cut of the pensions immigrants bring in (and these are people of any age who have worked in the likes of the UK and Australia and are most likely to be working and contributing here now). It is quite a process to transfer an overseas pension and there are specialist providers who make it quite simple and know the basic tax rules, but there are a few peculiar issues, such as the removal of any exemption if you have received as little as $1 of Working for Families Tax Credits and the ’double-up’ effect of provisional tax in some cases.

As always, there are usually ways of organising things in such a way that you do not run into major problems. It always pays to check, even if we don’t appear to have a weird tax system!

Cedric Knowles is a director of KNOWledge Accountants, Hawke’s Bay. He has worked as an accountant in the Bay since 1987. Contact Cedric by email: cedric.knowles@knowles.net.nz

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Cedric Knowles is a director of KNOWLedge Accountants, Hawke’s Bay. He has worked as an accountant in the Bay since 1987. Contact Cedric by email: cedric. knowles@knowles.net.nz

Celebrating Excellence

Peter Tod (Chairman Napier Port HB Primary Sector Awards), Rob Hewett (Chairman Silver Fern Farms), Grant & Sally Charteris (Winners Silver Fern Farms HB Farmer of the Year)

Recipient Bay de Lautour with Laurie Dowling Memorial committee member Roy Fraser

Pan Pac Managing Director Doug Ducker with the winners of the Hawke’s Bay Farm Foresters Association’s award, the Ennor family with Chairman Rob Wilson (far right)

Congratulations to all the winners Celebrating excellence in the primary sector in Hawke’s Bay

Recipient Progressive Meats Managing Director Craig Hickson

Recipient Phil Tither with Bayleys East Coast Regional Manager Gary Brooks

Winner Olivia Ellis with Lawson Robinson Director Matthew Lawson

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