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IT’S A LITTLE BIT bunny…

WILD CHILD: It might not be PC to refer to children as ‘little monkeys’ but they’re not exactly tame; in a way, that’s definitely a good thing too!

From their ‘top of the hops’ Mr Bunny and ‘roaringly’ popular Dino beds to rugs and other animal-themed ‘creature comforts’, Circu takes us on a wild ride.

Although Circu is based in Portugal, furniture and accessories can be ordered online – details via www.circu.net – and shipped to New Zealand.

Make the most of it.

Get monthly returns from 5.00% p.a.* that make the most of your savings, so you can make the most out of life.

Sometimes it can be hard to balance the need to save for your future, as well as enjoying the adventures that pop up every day. Our unique investment model offers you the flexibility to do both. At Southern Cross Partners, we offer mortgage secured loans that allow investors to pick and choose their level of involvement. With current returns from 5.00% p.a.* paid out monthly. Talk to us today about a new, flexible way to invest, minimum investment $50,000.00.^

To find out more, visit us online at southerncrosspartners.co.nz

* Investment rate subject to change. ^Subject to availability. Southern

Cross Partners Ltd is licensed to provide peer-to-peer lending services under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU

KIM REICHE is director of two renovation franchises, runner-up, Franchise of the Year 2019 and had project wins for the People’s Choice 2020 plus Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

The excitement of watching an action-packed movie – breath holding anticipation, stereo surround sound, heated reclining armchairs, cup holders and everything else that comes with an all-round cinema experience – is achievable in your home.

Whether it is a light, bright, sunny living room which needs to morph, at the switch of a button, into a home theatre space, or it’s that unusable downstairs room which up until now has stored only junk.

Any space can be converted:

Smart, mood selecting lighting, state of the art sound systems and electric seating options all wrapped up in sound proofed and spaces free of light bleed are becoming a “must have” in the home.

The options are endless and can suit most budgets, however understand your requirements and be realistic about the budget. Always consider upgrade possibilities as technology is advancing at a crazy rate – future proof for future enjoyment.

Our top considerations:

• Shared sound vs personal sound. Head phones for personalised experiences or family units with general sound and dad at the controls. • Reclining seats will affect the position and height of the screen – select wisely. • Light bleed at any eyelevel area should be controlled.

We recommend motorised, recessed blind systems or luxurious heavy drapes adding a bit of the Ritz to the room. • If this is a shared space, please ensure the screen is retractable with decent pixels. • Sound absorption – walls, floors and ceilings – avoid hard surfaces. • Layout and ergonomics –every viewer should have an unobstructed view.

Achieving some sort of flexibility in these spaces is always an advantage, ie hidden power and data points, adjustable circuits etc.

Quality, quality, quality! Sound effects, seating comfort, carpeting and wall cladding, screen clarity and smart control at your fingertips, are all desirable – the bigger the budget, the better the quality!

There are many spaces in your home which can add value to your living experience. Make a call to the team at Refresh Renovations Franklin/Manukau – Kim Reiche on 0800 004 600 and let the experts guide you.

House overdue for a renovation?

Relax and let Refresh manage the entire project for you, even if you live out of town.

Refresh is your local home renovation specialist – we’re locals who live in the area and can manage your project from start to finish. Refresh Renovations can renovate kitchens and bathrooms right through to complete home renovations. Using our online customer portal you can track your project remotely including specifying products and seeing pictures and videos from site. Talk to us today.

Call Kim to get your project underway

0800 004 600 www.refreshrenovations.co.nz/KimReiche

RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES

New Zealand’s latest Covid-19 outbreak will create both risks and opportunities for investors. The Delta variant is significantly more infectious than earlier variants and has become the dominant strain of Covid-19 around the world.

There is good news and bad news for New Zealand investors. The good news is vaccines are still proving to provide a high level of protection against new variants meaning, whilst they might slow the global economic reopening, they hopefully shouldn’t derail it.

The bad news – at time of writing NZ is the least vaccinated country in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

HOW CONCERNED SHOULD INVESTORS BE?

The answer is it depends on what you’re worrying about. With regards to your investment portfolio, we believe not that much.

There is a risk that a new variant emerges that is highly contagious, vaccine resistant, and/or more deadly. But (1) current vaccines are proving very effective, and (2) it appears likely vaccine producers will be able to adapt to new variants. We believe the chance that new variants derail the reopening of the global economy, and therefore global share markets, is low.

In New Zealand a prolonged outbreak would shut big parts of our economy, and impact economically-exposed sectors and companies. The recent about-turn decision by the Reserve Bank to hold off raising interest rates highlights just how uncertain and changeable the outlook can be in a Covid-19 world.

The silver lining for investors, however, is the New Zealand share market is dominated by defensive companies in sectors like healthcare, utilities, telecommunications, and consumer staples. The earnings of these companies are less affected by the economic environment.

The recent outbreak is also a local concern. At the time of writing global sharemarkets continue to trend up. This reflects the ongoing progress countries are making in implementing vaccination rollouts, the easing of Covid-19 restrictions and broad economic recovery. Throughout this period many global business have continued to grow their profitability providing positive returns for investors.

All our Investment Advisers and staff are equipped to provide uninterrupted service to you. While our local offices are closed, our Investment Advisers can be contacted in the usual manner during normal business hours.

For a no obligation discussion contact your local Forsyth Barr Investment Adviser, Pam Cussen, David Morgan or Mark Steele, on 09 368 0170 or 0800 367 227, or visit their office (closed at Covid levels 3/4) at Highbrook Business Park, 60 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki.

This column is general in nature and does not take any of your personal circumstances into account. For personalised financial advice, contact Forsyth Barr for an overview of the services we can provide.

Local focus, global view

If you are considering your current investment arrangements and want professional local service, backed by leading international and New Zealand research, market data and investment experience call David Morgan, Mark Steele, or Pam Cussen on (09) 368 0170 or visit their office at Highbrook Business Park, 60 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki.

WORKING MUMS: TIPS TO ACHIEVE WORK LIFE BALANCE!

It’s not always easy being a working mum juggling family and employment commitments especially during the various lockdown levels but PENNY JONES (Partner at Wynyard Wood) has put together some tips to help all the working mums achieve a better work life balance:

CHANGE WHEN YOU WORK: Ask your employer for flexible work options. Research shows it’s good for both parties and results in higher worker retention rates and more engaged, happier workers. Consider flexible working hours, compressed days (working full time hours over less days), remote working or job-sharing.

PRIORITISE WORK TASKS:

Determine your most urgent tasks for the day and focus on them so you don’t work after hours. Less important jobs can wait or perhaps be delegated to someone else. You’ll be surprised how many less important jobs disappear this way.

BE TIME SMART: Make the most of your work breaks. Can you fit in some exercise in your lunch break? Run errands and pay bills? Meet a friend for a coffee? The aim is to free up as much of your day outside of work to spend on whatever is important to you. WORK SMART: Use technology to save valuable time. Can an email replace a face-to-face meeting? Hold a Skype or Zoom meeting instead of battling traffic for external appointments. We find many of our clients are happy to meet by Zoom or Skype as it also saves them valuable time.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF: Be aware of your physical and mental health and try to listen to your body. If you start feeling overwhelmed, anxious and struggle with sleep, take some time for yourself. Try mindfulness for five minutes a day (The ‘Calm’ app is good) or a leisurely bath before bed. Tell someone how you are feeling; be kind to yourself. Accept imperfections and let go of the guilt if some jobs go undone. However, do ensure family members are doing their fair share at home – a job roster can help; even little ones can take on small tasks. Remember, working mums are superwomen so, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

PART 2 THE BEST PEOPLE ARE ‘PEOPLE PEOPLE’... PEOPLE YES, THEY ARE!

BILL POTTER — The Maverick Thinker. Global Speaker. Personal Power Coach. Bill has already made personal presentations in 57 countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRhF22nARM

In Part 1 (thank you for reading it), I introduced you to my three ‘Human Behavioural Types’. The very best ‘Type’ is the ‘People Person,’ obviously. I’m not suggesting that she or he should be just smiley, friendly and even ‘huggie’ [post-Covid could be tricky], but he or she must be competent, knowledgeable and visionary.

I will keep reminding everyone that our wonderful world is more ‘leaderless’ now than it has ever been. This is confirmed everywhere, on every platform, every day. Yes, there are plenty of leaders of course, but not nearly enough and in too few places that count! So where might those leaders be?

Rather than ‘rabbiting on’ about whether leaders are ‘born or made’, or reading a gazillion books about ‘leaders’ and ‘leadership’, may I offer this first, maverick agenda, which simply put, goes like this : ‘Who would I most likely follow, ‘when the chips are down’… if I had the choice?’

In a long, totally amazing Life, I can count on the fingers of one hand, they whom I would have followed to ‘the ends of the Earth’. Each of them were ‘people’ people, who had demonstrated the care AND the skills. Sadly, too many ‘leaders’ have only the ‘title’, even if they are ‘well-meaning’.

I never sought special attention from any ‘superior’ in any part of my life. I just wanted them to be fair, to care and to share. Thazzal! So, starting tomorrow, Team, help all those who already are, and those who can one day become ‘real leaders’, by sharing your own leadership qualities with them. OK. Ta.

My newly upgraded international Course… LeaderSpeak© , is available. It is only for achievers who want to lead and inspire, but who do not feel sufficiently confident to do either, yet. My Course is a ‘maverick’ experience, because... I ‘do it differently’. Most Leader courses do not! If you’re courageous, you know what to do. Contact me. Cheers. Bill.

duitdammit@gmail.com

INSURANCE CLAIMS: TIPS AND ADVICE

When the unexpected happens, you want to know that your insurer will come to the party and pay for your loss. Contact Wynyard Wood today for a clear understanding of your insurance policy, and for advice on an insurance claim.

wynyardwood.co.nz/insurance-claims Tel. 09 969 0126