Harvey Norman Opening Feature

OPENS

TUESDAY 20 JUNE

MASTERTON’S HARVEY NORMAN STORE

Growing the Harvey Norman family with a Masterton store

Masterton’s Harvey Norman store, situated in Solway, opens on 20 June, making it the 45TH Harvey Norman store in New Zealand.

“We are super excited to be opening in Masterton,” says Tarryn van Niekerk, Head of People Operations for New Zealand’s Harvey Norman. The Masterton store will run with about 50 sta , 95 percent of whom have been recruited within the district.

“We’re looking forward to the new team developing and becoming part of the Harvey Norman family.”

The brand spanking new store in Masterton is a 6,000m2, single storey building, including onsite warehousing. It’s amongst the largest regional Harvey Norman stores in the

Gokul, Penny, Sian

country and will house the full suite of Harvey Norman departments to cater for all its home furnishing and entertainment needs. “There are

nearly 150 car park spaces, too.”

Harvey Norman was founded in Australia in 1982 and introduced to New Zealand in 1997, subsequently becoming a household name as one of New Zealand’s leading retailers of computers, electrical products, furniture, and bedding. Today, as well as the 45 stores in New Zealand, there are nearly 200 Harvey Norman stores in Australia and dozens more across the globe.

The diverse Harvey Norman team in New Zealand is made up of over 2,000 individuals who each bring their unique expertise to the workforce.

“The cornerstone of New Zealand’s Harvey Norman is the fact that it’s like a family business,” says Tarryn.

“Each department, each store, and the entire business, operates as a close-knit family.”

Tarryn has been with Harvey Norman for about nine years. She knows

exactly how to recruit for the right attitudes to ensure an ongoing positive team culture and strong customer focus.

Tarryn’s an advocate of Harvey Norman’s aim to foster sta success and grow careers within the business. “Harvey Norman invests in training sta . Most of our successful store managers started as part-time sales consultants and have been on positive career trajectories ever since.”

The Harvey Norman brand is simple: it’s a great place to shop. The business is dedicated to o ering the best range of products at the best price, providing great service, and prioritising customer needs.

“Our incredible sta are the people who help achieve our mission to be the market leading home appliances, technology, furniture, and bedding retailer in New Zealand.”

MASTERTON’S HARVEY NORMAN STORE, OPENS TUESDAY 20 JUNE

Introducing Proprietor Gokul Santhamurthy TECHNOLOGY

“Retail is in my blood,” says Gokul Santhamurthy, Proprietor of the Computer Mobile & Technology Department in the new Harvey Norman store in Masterton. “My father and my grandfather before him were both in retail back in India.”

Gokul moved to New Zealand in 2004 and “on Saturday 17 December 2005,” he started working for Harvey Norman as a sales consultant. Eighteen years later, he’s still there having worked for several proprietors and general managers before becoming a proprietor himself. Gokul had “the privilege” of eighteen months of management training within Harvey Norman and over six years of being a manager across stores in Gisborne, Henderson, and Napier before landing in Masterton. “My role is not just a job, it’s a career.”

“My wife and I have moved to Solway, close to the Harvey Norman store and within walking distance of the local school.”

Gokul Santhamurthy can’t believe how lucky he is.

“I’m following my dreams,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to be in business, and I have this amazing opportunity. I’m excited about upskilling a new team of nine local hires and getting to know people in the community – our customers.”

Gokul is knowledgeable about the products he sells. He has qualifications in electronics from one of the leading engineering universities in India as well as from New Zealand. This has been supplemented with ongoing product training within Harvey Norman. He also enjoys the challenge of operating within a rapidly changing technological environment.

“Our Technology Department sells the suite of Apple and Microsoft products

– phones, watches, computers, laptops, tablets, and more. We have everything Google and Amazon produce to make your home a smart home. And that’s just for starters.”

The Harvey Norman ethos of helping customers resonates with Gokul. “I take pride in finding solutions for each individual and building a loyal customer base. It won’t be long before I’ll recognise people in the street and

say hello. My team and I are here to help. Come and have a chat.”

The vibrancy and positive atmosphere of Harvey Norman keeps Gokul passionate about the business. The opportunity in the new Masterton store is the icing on the cake.

“It’s great to be here at Harvey Norman’s Masterton store.”

MASTERTON’S HARVEY NORMAN STORE, OPENS TUESDAY 20 JUNE

Introducing Proprietor

Penny Hickson ELECTRICAL AND Sian Hodge BEDDING & FURNITURE

“For me, it’s always been electrical,” says Penny Hickson, Proprietor of the Electrical Department in Masterton’s Harvey Norman store.

Penny has been working for the company for 13 years. She’s worked in the Lower Hutt, Gisborne, and Whakatane stores, and is committed to the Harvey Norman brand.

Having been brought up in Lower Hutt and having mostly worked for Harvey Norman in the Lower Hutt store, moving over the hill to Masterton with her husband has been straightforward, Penny says.

She’s excited by the electrical offerings in her department.

“Whiteware, cooking appliances, TVs, smaller appliances – they’re all fascinating. We have a big range of products and something for everyone whether you’re on a tight budget, building your dream kitchen, or renovating your house. We can match the right products to the customer’s needs and budget.”

The Harvey Norman culture suits Penny. “It’s a great atmosphere.

It’s easy to work with everyone and it feels like a family. I enjoy my role and making Harvey Norman a great place to work for my team.”

She has recruited twelve staff, almost all locals, to cover the wide range of offerings in the electrical department.

Describing herself as easy going and with a sense of humour, customer service underpins Penny’s skill set. Prior to her years with Harvey Norman, she had several other customer service-based roles including for the Study Link call centre. “Those skills of working with people are transferrable.”

Come and meet Penny Hickson and her team in the Electrical Department of Masterton’s new Harvey Norman.

With nearly eight years at Harvey Norman already under her belt - having worked in sales, as a linen manager, floor manager and now as a proprietorSian Hodge has relocated from Palmerston North to Masterton and is ready to go. Her energy is infectious.

Sian’s new role as Proprietor of the Bedding and Furniture Department in the new Masterton store is “the next step in my career and I’m ready. Everyone who works for Harvey Norman is passionate about what they do,” she says. “Harvey Norman gives us a career.”

“Being able to help people create the home of their dreams – for relaxing, working and sleeping - is an absolute privilege and a great opportunity,” Sian says.

Harvey Norman can work its magic for you from when you first walk through the door of your home, with entrance tables and mirrors. The store offers chairs, stools, buffets,

tables, couches, and a whole suite of products for kitchens, dining rooms, and lounges. And then there are the bedrooms.

“We sleep for about a third of our lives,” Sian says, “and so our bedrooms are important. Come and test our mattresses and be fitted for the right pillow. You can also check out the options for bases, headboards, bedside cabinets, and dressers.”

Masterton’s Bedding and Furniture Department has a team of six, ready to help customers create an entire story in their homes from the inside out. “We do outdoor furniture and BBQs as well as all our indoor ranges.”

Many products available from the Bedding and Furniture Department are customisable and made in New Zealand.

“Pop in for a chat,” Sian says. “We’d love to support you in making your dreams for your home a reality.”