January 2024 - Bay of Plenty Business News

JANUARY 2024 VOLUME 8: ISSUE 1 

WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ 

FACEBOOK.COM/BAYOFPLENTYBUSINESSNEWS 

TECH TALK 

Jacob Doherty from Stratus Blue delves 

into how to make the most of technology 

Page 6 

CREDIT CONTROL 

High-risk business lenders: Saviours or 

predators. Nick Kerr highlights the dangers 

Page 8 

BUSINESS SALES 

When to sell your business: Is there a right 

time? Get the lowdown from Steve Catley 

Page 10 

CULTURE 

FOCUSING ON 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

> ART TRAIL 

Brad Olsen, Principal economist, 

Infometrics: “That means [there’ll 

be] some pretty significant [budget] 

prioritisation so it will be important for 

the region to highlight its needs and 

make sure it’s on the priority list.” 

> SPECIAL REPORT 

With the new government now 

installed and numerous local 

infrastructure projects at various stages of planning and 

completion, Bay of Plenty Business News’ David Porter asks 

the experts: “What’s in store for BOP businesses in 2024?” 

Meeting the Bay of Plenty’s needs to 

improve transport and infrastructure 

is likely to dominate locally 

for the new coalition government, say 

political and business sources. 

“We have old methods of doing 

things that don’t lend themselves 

to getting this done,” Nigel Tutt, 

chief executive of the business-oriented 

organisation 

Priority One, told the 

Bay of 

Plenty Business News. 

He noted that a disproportionately 

high chunk of 

an estimated $200 billion 

in estimated deficit expenditure 

on infrastructure 

needed 

nationwide 

would be in the region 

because the area had 

grown so rapidly. 

“We need to unlock 

land and improve 

access to the port,” 

said Tutt. 

“Ongoing we want 

this government to be 

helpful for businesses, particularly 

for exporters as that’s really been an 

area of neglect,” he said. 

Brad Olsen, chief executive and 

principal economist at Infometrics, 

noted that everywhere in the country 

was competing for funding and 

the government had been clear it 

didn’t have an unlimited amount to 

play with. “That means [there will be] 

some pretty significant prioritisation 

so it will be important for the region 

to highlight its needs and make sure 

it’s on the priority list,” said Olsen. 

It was time for the Bay of Plenty to 

get involved in these areas, given the 

need to unlock additional infrastructure, 

housing and transport, he said. 

And more importantly for the government, 

he added, they’ve got the 

backing of their electorate. 

“Just as in the past, we’ve [the electorate] 

voted for what we want and 

it’s up to the government to deliver. 

That’s been a big focus of the government 

and they’ll be held to it.” 

> Continued on page 3 

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Page 14 

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FOR KIWI BUSINESS

January 2024 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS 3 

Focusing on 

> SPECIAL REPORT 

infrastructure 

> Continued on page 1 

It is ironic that Luxon has been 

widely panned in the media for 

not coming from a more traditional 

parliamentary background. 

This rather overlooked the political 

qualities that had secured his 

previous top corporate role. 

Ousted former prime minister 

Chris Hipkins has been involved in 

politics since his days as a university 

student and was first elected 

to parliament in 2008. However, 

once he was asked to take over as 

prime minister, he failed to distinguish 

himself as a political leader, 

though he seems to be performing 

better in opposition. 

“I’m not sure what a stereotypical 

politician is any more and 

that’s a good thing,” noted Olsen. 

“You do want a broader range of 

life experiences.” 

MMP and its 

implications 

If the recent elections showed 

anything, it was that New Zealanders 

have become fully aware 

of the positives and negatives 

that come with Mixed-Member 

Proportional (MMP) elections. It 

would appear that having delivered 

convincing victories to the 

Labour Party for two terms, a 

majority of the electorate decided 

it was time for a change. 

There has been pushback from 

some sections of the electorate 

that formerly favoured and influenced 

the outgoing government, 

particularly on issues around 

workplace relations, healthcare 

and Māori issues. Despite these 

criticisms, the previous government’s 

record in all these areas 

also attracted complaints. 

And while the recent election 

saw a major swing back towards 

National, it also delivered a significant 

weighting to both ACT and 

NZ First. 

As a result, the drawn-out 

negotiations between the parties 

for a new three-way coalition 

government took some time and 

were mostly absent the leaks 

that enlivened reporting on such 

negotiations previously. 

The nature of MMP 

Tom Rutherford, the newly 

elected National MP for Bay of 

Tom Rutherford, 

Nigel Tutt and 

Sam Uffindell 

Plenty, commented that this simply 

reflected the nature of MMP. 

“This is the first real coalition 

of three parties sitting around the 

cabinet table,” said Rutherford, 

who replaced retiring MP Todd 

Muller. 

“It took time because we’re 

making decisions for three years 

– and hopefully six or nine. We 

didn’t want to rush the talks 

because it needs to last the balance 

of the government.” 

Rutherford said that now the 

agreement had been reached, the 

coalition government needed to 

start getting things done. 

“We’re deeply aware we need 

to get things right,” he said. 

“The biggest thing I noted 

during the election was that the 

community voted for change - 

people were tired after six years.” 

Rutherford emphasized that 

the biggest issues locally for the 

new government included reducing 

transport and congestion 

issues around the city. They were 

also keen to ensure democracy 

was restored once the appointed 

commissioners finished their 

term in 2024. 

Rebuilding the economy 

Sam Uffindell, who was re-elected 

for National in Tauranga, told the 

Bay of Plenty Business News the 

focus of the coalition government 

would be on rebuilding the economy, 

addressing the cost-of-living 

crisis, and improving law and 

order New Zealand-wide. Those 

issues would definitely be in play 

in Tauranga, he said. 

“Locally transport stands out,” 

he added. “We want to make sure 

we are investing in the transport 

infrastructure we really need.” 

Uffindell said one of his key 

roles would be advocating to ministers 

for Tauranga as much as 

he could, and making sure they 

understood how strategically 

important Tauranga was. 

“We are part of the ‘golden 

triangle’ and home to the biggest 

port in the country.” 

Uffindell said he was also keen 

to get people back into Tauranga 

city centre. “Commercial developments 

are coming into the area … 

we need those people.” 

The council also needed to 

be mindful of people’s concerns 

around parking, he said. 

“We need to make sure transport 

links are working into and 

across the city and that people 

can readily access them.” 

Priority One’s Nigel Tutt 

emphasised that the main need 

was for the region to get set up 

for years ahead – not run out of 

development cash again. 

“We want a set plan for a number 

of years,” said Tutt. “We just 

need to sharpen our game.” 

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4 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS January 2024 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

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Email: alan@bopbusinessnews.co.nz 

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> THE PORTER REPORT 

The heat is rising 

> By DAVID PORTER 

It is hardly a surprise 

that the world’s regular 

international talkfest on 

addressing climate change 

tends to be held in major 

oil-producing countries. After 

all, who knows more about 

the problems – and profits – 

the fossil fuel industry engenders 

than the key oil producing 

countries. 

2023 saw Dubai in the 

United Arab Emirates presiding 

over COP28. And chairing 

the top COP28 table was UAE 

ruler, and oil baron in charge 

of the source of national 

riches, Sultan Al Jaber. 

But global pushback on 

the accelerating pace of climate 

change is growing. 

There seems no doubt we will 

exceed the climate rise limits 

that were originally set down. 

As mooted by UN Secretary 

General Antonio Guterres: 

“The era of global warming 

has ended; the era of global 

boiling has arrived. Leaders 

must lead.” 

But leaders – particularly 

the heads of the G20 countries 

A monthly update on the business 

world from leading writer David Porter 

responsible for 80 percent of 

global emissions – are resisting 

the pressure to implement 

realistic climate action. 

Guterres has first-hand 

experience of climate change. 

Not only has the UN just produced 

scary updates on the 

latest state of the temperature 

rises, but Guterres recently 

paid his first visit to the 

Antarctic. 

“Fossil fuel pollution is 

heating our planet, unleashing 

climate anarchy in Antarctica,” 

he said, noting that 

the Southern Ocean has taken 

the majority of the heat from 

global warming. 

Ice is melting into the 

ocean at record rates, feeding 

unprecedented rates of sea 

level rise, which are endangering 

low-lying island states 

and coastal communities 

worldwide. 

Some COP28 delegates 

reportedly said the OPEC oil 

cartel and Saudi Arabia were 

leading a push against any 

climate deal that would cut 

down fossil fuel production. 

According to many news 

reports, key energy producers 

had been most concerned 

to eliminate any suggestion 

of “phasing out” fossil fuel 

energy. There has been an 

accelerated growth worldwide 

of options such as wind 

and solar, which have become 

more affordable. And a growing 

number of countries are 

drawing attention to the need 

to wean their economies off 

oil, gas and coal. 

The final COP28 statement 

contained two main planks — 

a pledge by oil and gas companies 

to reduce emissions, 

and a commitment by 118 

countries to triple the world’s 

renewable energy capacity 

and double energy savings 

efforts. 

So yes, there was a torrent 

of feel-good statements on 

slashing pollution from companies 

and oil producers as 

COP28 wound up. But they 

sparked cries of “greenwashing” 

even before some global 

dignitaries had boarded their 

flights home. 

Unfortunately, the final 

statement included weakening 

the coal reference 

from “rapidly phasing down 

David Porter 

unabated coal” to “efforts 

towards the phase-down of 

unabated coal power”. “Transition 

away” is called for, 

rather than a “phase out”, 

according to Forbes magazine. 

Notably, it only directly 

refers to fossil fuel use in 

energy systems. 

Climate change activists 

suggested that this only 

meant the energy companies 

were belatedly trying to look 

as if they were responding to 

outside pressures. Let us be in 

no doubt – the climate crisis is 

real and must be faced. 

Leaders – and particularly 

G20 countries responsible for 

80 percent of global emissions 

– must step up their efforts on 

climate change. The impacts 

of climate change are becoming 

ever more visible and the 

pressure to work harder at 

exploring alternative options 

such as wind and solar are 

becoming ever more urgent.


University replaces more 

than half of its fleet with EVs 

Scope one emissions expected to drop by 

more than 180 tonnes annually 

The University of Waikato is 

replacing more than half its 

existing vehicle fleet with 

electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce 

emissions and work towards a 

more sustainable future. The 

major upgrade, being rolled out 

over the next few months, is 

expected to reduce scope one 

emissions (direct greenhouse 

(GHG) emissions from sources 

controlled or owned by an organisation) 

by 183 tonnes annually. 

Jim Mercer, Chief Operating 

Officer at the University of 

Waikato, said sustainability had 

been a focus for the University 

over the last 18 months and that 

moving to EVs was a natural next 

step. 

“We’ve been working on a 

range of sustainability initiatives, 

including the launch of 

the world’s first Bachelor of Climate 

Change, replacing two natural 

gas boilers with low-emission 

alternatives, a sizeable on-campus 

project to replace existing 

lighting with sustainable LEDs, 

installing solar arrays on a number 

of buildings, and various 

research initiatives designed to 

support a sustainable future for 

New Zealand and the world.” 

Paul Bull, EECA Public Sector 

Portfolio Manager, said the University 

of Waikato is setting a 

great example for other tertiary 

institutions and government 

organisations. 

“The team is demonstrating 

how you can incorporate EVs into 

a fleet while also finding other, 

innovative ways to get the most 

out of their vehicles,” said Mr Bull. 

The fleet upgrade has been supported 

with just over $2 million 

in operational co-funding from 

EECA (the Energy Efficiency and 

Conservation Authority), which 

the University has matched. 

Once implemented, the University 

will have nearly 80 EVs available 

to employees. EV charging 

stations are also being installed 

at the Hamilton and Tauranga 

campuses. 

Eventually, the University also 

Prof Lynda Johnston, Assistant Vice Chancellor Sustainability, University of 

Waikato takes one of the new EVs for a spin. 

hopes to make EVs and charging 

stations available to staff outside 

of hours. If this goes ahead, it will 

help the University reduce indirect 

scope three emissions (emissions 

not produced by an organisation 

or the result of activities 

from assets owned or controlled 

by them), which are typically challenging 

to target. 

“This is just phase one. We 

will continue to make upgrades 

over the coming years to ensure 

the University of Waikato continues 

to take steps towards becoming 

more sustainable,” said Mr 

Mercer. 

The BYD ATTO 3 has been 

selected as the make and model 

for the fleet. The implementation 

is being managed by Zilch 

car sharing, whose innovative 

approach will make it easier for 

staff to access vehicles with features 

like keyless access. 

“This is a great example of 

using technology to support a sustainable 

future while also making 

things easier for employees, saving 

them from having to collect 

and return keys physically,” said 

Mr Mercer. 

Other key partners involved 

in the project include Carbn Asset 

Management, who completed a 

fleet utilisation and optimisation 

study, and charging station installers, 

We.EV (owned by WEL Networks) 

which completed campus 

electrical studies to understand 

the capacity of the network on 

site. 

The University is proud to be 

recognised for its sustainability 

efforts. The University of Waikato 

is ranked in the top 100 (of 

more than 1,400 institutions) in 

the 2024 QS World University 

Rankings: Sustainability. The University 

was also a recent finalist in 

the Sustainable Business Awards. 

CLOUDLAND, TMG MERGER: 

TAURANGA-BASED ORIENS CAPITAL 

WELCOMED AS A SHAREHOLDER 

Leading IT platform and managed service 

providers Cloudland and TMG 

have announced their merger. While 

both brands will continue to operate under 

their established brand names, the collaboration 

between both parties promises to 

amplify services across New Zealand and 

Australia, especially within the healthcare 

and professional services sectors. 

John Calland, Cloudland CEO, says that 

the merger is a true partnership where clients 

will benefit from the complementary 

strengths of the two providers, both with 

proven track records: 

“Joining forces with TMG aligns with 

our mission to deliver unparalleled IT 

solutions. TMG’s impressive track record 

within the primary healthcare market 

complements our strengths, ensuring our 

clients benefit from an even wider spectrum 

of expertise. 

“Clients and partners can anticipate a 

richer service offering and more collaborative 

expertise, upholding the gold standard 

both businesses are renowned for.” 

Andre Ducrot, TMG CEO, says he sees 

the merger as a natural evolution for TMG: 

“Together, TMG and Cloudland will be 

in a position to offer a wider range of services 

to our primary healthcare customers 

and even better regional coverage across 

New Zealand. 

“We have a lot of similarities, including 

our comparable size, strong local community 

roots, and shareholders with considerable 

experience working in the primary 

healthcare sector. The two companies will 

complement one another well, and our 

customers will benefit as a consequence.” 

The merger makes Ducrot and the 

existing Cloudland directors shareholders 

in the new entity, TMG Cloudland Group 

Limited. Oriens Capital, a Tauranga-based 

investment group, has also been welcomed 

as a shareholder. James Beale, the Oriens 

partner leading their participation in the 

merger, says Oriens believes that it will 

have a positive impact on both companies 

and their clients: 

“We were inspired by the vision from 

the leaders of TMG and Cloudland, along 

with the high-performance cultures 

they’ve fostered. The merged business will 

be the market leader in the NZ primary 

healthcare platform market, with the best 

regional coverage by far to service existing 

and new clients. We see exciting prospects 

for continued growth in the healthcare and 

professional services IT markets.” 

Community Living Trust, a Waikato-based 

provider of disability support 

services and a Cloudland shareholder, will 

continue as a shareholder in the merged 

entity. 

Trust CEO David Oldershaw says, “Our 

partnership as a shareholder and customer 

of Cloudland over the past year has 

already seen our organisation make significant 

advancements with our technology 

strategy. We look forward to further gains 

from Cloudland joining forces with TMG” 

Cloudland and TMG will retain their 

current regional office locations in Hamilton, 

Whangarei, and Christchurch. 

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As we step into 2024, the outlook for 

franchise business growth in New Zealand is 

both promising and challenging, certainly a 

different outlook to the start of 2023. 

NAVIGATING 

THE TIDES: 

FRANCHISE BUSINESS 

GROWTH PROSPECTS IN 2024 

FRANCHISING 

BY NATHAN BONNEY 

Key indicators reveal a complex 

landscape shaped by 

inflation, interest rates, 

immigration, recession, and the 

influence of political stability and 

policies. 

Inflation: balancing act in 

the economic ecosystem 

The spectre of inflation, hovering 

at around 5.6%, has been a 

constant companion in economic 

discussions. While this figure 

represents a slight reprieve from 

the 6-plus percent of the previous 

year, the Reserve Bank of New 

Zealand maintains a cautious 

stance, asserting that, “inflation is 

still far too high.” The hope is that 

the worst may be behind us, as 

wage growth pressure eases and 

inflation becomes an entrenched 

but manageable part of the economic 

landscape. 

Interest rates: a longterm 

commitment to restraint 

In contrast to its Australian counterpart, 

the Reserve Bank of New 

Zealand has recently opted to 

maintain its official cash rate at 

5.5%. The bank’s clear commitment 

to keeping interest rates 

higher for an extended period, 

described as “retaining restrictive 

interest rates,” reflects a strategy 

aimed at taming inflation. Businesses 

now are generally factoring 

in higher interest rates in the 

long-term when making financial 

decisions, anticipating a landscape 

where the cost of capital 

remains relatively high. Critically 

it’s feeling like we have reached 

the peak of the interest rate cycle. 

Immigration: doubleedged 

sword in economic growth 

The surge in immigration, with 

annual migrant arrivals reaching 

an all-time high of 225,400, 

brings both opportunities and 

challenges. On the positive side, it 

eases labor pressures, providing 

businesses, including franchises, 

with a potential talent pool. 

However, the downside lies in 

the potential fuel it adds to housing 

price increases and general 

consumption. Franchise owners 

must carefully navigate this double-edged 

sword, leveraging the 

benefits of a diverse workforce 

while remaining vigilant about its 

economic implications. 

Recession: a distant 

concern, but not absent 

Despite the potential threats 

posed by inflation and immigration 

dynamics, the likelihood of 

a recession in 2024 appears to be 

diminishing. The synergy of slowing 

inflation and a robust influx 

of immigrants is anticipated to 

act as a buffer, preventing New 

Zealand from descending into an 

economic downturn. As inflation 

trends in the right direction and 

growth remains generally positive, 

the economic outlook for 

franchise businesses is optimistic. 

Political stability 

and policy: a catalyst for 

business confidence 

The change in government has 

brought with it an expectation of 

increased business confidence. 

While the formation of the new 

government took time, the early 

signs indicate a focus on the economy 

and policies sympathetic to 

business. This shift in political 

stability has far-reaching implications 

as government policies 

directly influence inflation, interest 

rates, immigration, and by 

extension, the overall economic 

environment. Franchise businesses 

can find assurance in a 

government that recognises its 

role in fostering economic growth. 

Government spending: 

pivotal economic activity 

With government spending 

accounting for approximately 

30% of economic activity, its influence 

cannot be understated. The 

previous government’s disregard 

for its impact on inflation is contrasted 

by the current government’s 

apparent awareness of the 

interconnectedness of policy and 

economic indicators. 

Nathan Bonney is a director of Iridium 

Partners. He can be reached at 

nathan@iridium.net.nz or 0275 393 022 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), 

GENERATIVE AI AND MICROSOFT COPILOT 

How to make the 

most of technology 

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, all businesses can gain 

competitive advantage by keeping abreast of tools that can help them 

streamline their operations and boost productivity. 

TECH TALK 

BY JACOB DOHERTY 

Small and medium-sized 

enterprises may find that 

technology can have an 

outsized impact on their organisation 

and their ability to grow 

their market share, and perhaps 

even more so in the face of continuing 

economic headwinds. 

We finished 2023 bringing 

Microsoft Copilot to the attention 

of Bay of Plenty businesses 

– this is already elevating the 

day-to-day experience of Microsoft 

365 users and we believe it 

will be a launchpad for business 

growth in 2024. 

Microsoft Copilot is a large 

language model-based chatbot 

developed by Microsoft – it’s 

less than a year old and is built 

on top of the AI technology Microsoft 

has invested in through 

OpenAI. 

Since 2019, Microsoft has 

committed over US$10 billion 

to OpenAI, crucially purchasing 

an exclusive license to their 

underlying technology in 2020 

and growing from there. So 

what does a ‘large language 

model-based chatbot’ actually 

mean? And why is it so relevant 

for business owners and team 

members? 

A large language model is 

something which can achieve 

language understanding and in 

the case of (new buzzwords like) 

‘Generative AI’, the model can 

generate its own responses and 

provide useful information. The 

‘chatbot’ is the ‘question and 

answer’ environment where 

users can benefit from the technology, 

with the most prominent 

example being ChatGPT 

(developed by OpenAI). You 

simply ask the chatbot a question, 

the model uses its learned 

information and lightning-fast 

ability to scour it, and seconds 

later the chatbot responds with 

an answer. 

In the case of Microsoft Copilot, 

this experience has moved 

to a new level, combining its 

underlying technology with 

your Microsoft stored data to 

help you do things you might 

never have thought possible. 

In PowerPoint, you can ask 

it to create you a slide deck for 

a key pitch for a new prospect, 

and Copilot will provide you a 

range of pre-populated options. 

Be more specific – the pain 

points you’re trying to solve, a 

budget, a timeline – and Copilot 

will get to work specifying and 

adding detail into your template. 

You can tweak, add, and remove 

as you go, and Copilot will use its 

smarts to avoid repeating previously 

discarded ideas and build 

on the things you like. 

In Excel, Copilot will help 

you identify patterns, find 

new insights, and recommend 

improvements to what you 

already have; Ask it to review 

the effectiveness of your recent 

marketing campaign data, and it 

will summarise all the information 

it has into a status update, 

filled with insights, learnings 

and fresh objectives. 

As with all new technologies, 

your approach must be considered. 

Giving thought to the new 

risks you’ll be bringing into your 

business is vital, and as with any 

new data, it needs to be secure 

by design. 

On top of that, it’s important 

to remember that Copilot will 

only be as useful as the data it’s 

working with. If your reports 

are full of inaccuracies and 

omissions, you can expect Copilot 

to be hamstrung by the data 

you’re missing. 

However, all businesses need 

their data to be secure and well 

organised, whether they’re benefiting 

from Copilot or not, so 

hopefully these pre-requisites 

won’t be onerous. 

Microsoft Copilot is already 

available and in use with Microsoft 

365 subscribers, so it might 

be worth investing some time in 

getting to grips with it and seeing 

what benefits it can bring 

your business in 2024. 

Jacob Doherty is an account 

manager at Stratus Blue. 

He can be contacted at 

jacob@stratusblue.co.nz


With the arrival of 2024, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Business News readers 

a happy and prosperous new year. 

NEW YEAR GREETINGS 

> By ANNE TOLLEY,TAURANGA COMMISSION CHAIR 

2023 certainly had its challenges, 

as businesses dealt 

with the impacts of high 

inflation on their input costs and 

higher interest charges on their 

borrowings. Combined with the 

squeeze that the ‘cost of living crisis’ 

has had on consumer spending, 

that will have affected many 

businesses. 

Similar conditions look like 

prevailing through at least the 

early months of 2024, although 

there are encouraging signs that at 

least some of our economic headwinds 

are easing. Fingers crossed 

that those trends continue. 

And of course, Covid is still 

with us and may always be, in 

one of its ever-mutating forms. 

The pandemic’s impacts have 

become less-intrusive though, as 

we have learned to live with and 

work around it. I trust that will 

continue and add my best wishes 

for a healthy 2024 to the season’s 

greetings above. 

Looking at Tauranga City Council’s 

near- and mid-term priorities, 

first and foremost is the need to 

finalise our draft 2024-34 Longterm 

Plan (LTP). While this is very 

much a ‘steady as she goes’ plan, 

from a business perspective, the 

proposal to introduce an industrial 

rate during the next financial 

year would see industrial operations 

paying a greater share of the 

city’s total rates, in line with their 

greater use of, and impact on our 

Anne Tolley 

infrastructure, particularly our 

transport network. At the same 

time, commercial ratepayers 

would pay a smaller share, which 

would reduce their 2024/25 rates 

increases. 

The draft LTP also sought community 

feedback on the concept 

of using variable road pricing to 

ease congestion on our main highways 

and provide an alternative 

funding method to rates, which 

potentially could be introduced at 

some stage in the future, subject 

to a law change and a formal community 

consultation process. 

Based on the submissions 

received, it seems that many people 

would rather sit in worsening 

traffic queues than contemplate 

any form of road charging. For 

most businesses, faster journeys 

would bring benefits in productivity 

and delivery and customer 

service reliability. The revenue 

road charging would generate 

would also allow future transport 

network improvements to be 

brought forward, for the benefit 

of all users, so the Commission 

will need to weigh those factors 

carefully when it decides whether 

or not to proceed to a business 

case investigation which would 

be needed to confirm the benefits 

and establish the details around 

how road charging could work in 

practice. 

And finally, we have an election 

to look forward to when the 

Commission’s tenure comes to an 

end in July. We definitely do not 

want to go back to the dysfunctional 

governance that blighted 

recent elected councils, so if you 

think you could make a difference, 

please consider putting 

yourself forward as a candidate. 

We have an information evening 

planned for Monday, 19 February 

(at the Holy Trinity Church, 

Devonport Rd, from 4-8pm), 

where a range of former councilllors, 

city partners and the commissioners 

will talk about what a 

council role is like, how council 

works and the qualities of good 

governance. The Electoral Officer 

will also provide an overview of 

the nomination and election processes 

for those who are looking 

to stand. 

For further information, email 

election24@tauranga.govt.nz. 

New year, new opportunities? 

“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems” (Sun Tzu) 

time. Every, single, 

time. There has got to be 

“Every 

a better way!” 

… So you grumpily say to yourself 

as another pair of trousers is 

ruined from spilt bleach. 

Whatever the circumstances, if 

you are inspired in 2024 to solve 

a problem, I recommend you 

undertake (if you haven’t done 

so already) some IP due diligence 

before investing time and money 

in your idea. You might just save a 

bob or two. 

• If your idea is for a new product, 

then here are some things 

you might need to consider: 

• Do you know if your product 

exists already? Have you conducted 

any Internet searches 

or visited any retailers to see if 

it does? 

• If you know how to, have 

you searched the patents and 

designs databases of the Intellectual 

Property Office of New 

Zealand? If you have plans to 

export or licence manufacture 

overseas, have you searched 

any overseas databases? 

• If your product does exist 

already, at least in general 

terms, what makes your product 

‘new’ or different’? Does 

it involve a new way of doing 

something, or is its shape and 

appearance different to what’s 

currently available? Is AI 

involved in some way? 

• If your product doesn’t exist 

already, and you need to talk 

to someone about it, are they 

willing to sign a non-disclosure 

agreement before you tell 

them? If you’ve already started 

the development process, have 

your collaborators signed 

non-disclosure agreements 

with you? 

• Have you made or do you need 

any drawings for your new 

product? If you have, did you 

write your name on them, date 

them and put them somewhere 

safe? It might be early days, but 

have you made any prototypes 

and shown or tested them in 

public as yet? 

• Are you planning on making 

the product yourself or 

sub-contracting manufacture? 

If the latter, are you planning 

to make your product in New 

Zealand or overseas – perhaps 

in China? 

• What are you going to, or what 

do you want to, make your 

product from? Can the materials 

be ethically sourced and 

are they sustainable and/or 

recyclable? 

Another issue you may need to 

consider is the name of your new 

product and whether you can register 

that name as a trade mark as 

well as a domain name for your 

website and email. If you haven’t 

already, you’ll want to conduct 

INTELLECTUAL 

PROPERTY ISSUES 

BY BEN CAIN 

a search of the Internet and the 

database of the Intellectual Property 

Office of New Zealand (and 

any overseas database if, again, 

you have plans to export or licence 

manufacture) to see if there are 

any trade marks which might prevent 

you from registering or using 

your preferred name. You’ll also 

need to undertake a domain name 

search to see if you can register 

your preferred domain name. If 

you’re thinking just a search of the 

New Zealand Companies Register 

for identical or similar names will 

suffice, think again – it won’t. 

You’ll also need to consider 

whether you can register your 

preferred name as an account 

name on any social media platforms 

you want to use, especially 

if you are planning on leveraging 

those platforms for sales. 

As you can see from the questions 

I’ve posed and the tasks I’ve 

identified, having an idea is just 

the start of your IP journey. Do 

not be deterred, however, because 

if there is truly an opportunity 

in the problem you’ve identified, 

then we at James & Wells will do 

everything we can to help you on 

your path to victory. 

Ben Cain is a Senior Associate at 

James & Wells. He can be contacted 

at 07 928 4470 (Tauranga), 

07 957 5660 (Hamilton), and 

ben.cain@jamesandwells.com 

Strong investment decisions 

built on trust 

Our local wealth management experts Sarah and Simon, will work with you to guide you toward your 

long term financial goals. 

Contact us 

Sarah Ashby: +64 27 211 0760 

Simon Bradley:+64 27 427 3899 

www.jarden.co.nz/wealth-management 

Jarden Securities Limited is an NZX Firm. Jarden Financial Advice Provider Disclosure statement is publicly available at 

www.Jarden.co.nz. Jarden is not a registered bank in New Zealand.


CONCERNS 

ABOUT THE 

SUSTAINABILITY 

OF YOUR 

CORPORATE FLEET 

> AN OPEN LETTER 

Dear Business Owners and 

Decision Makers, 

I 

hope this letter finds you well. I am 

writing on behalf of the car sharing 

industry, dedicated to promoting sustainable 

transportation solutions. We 

have the privilege of working with many 

organisations as part of our corporate 

car sharing initiative. While we greatly 

value our partnerships, we feel it is our 

responsibility to address some pressing 

concerns regarding the sustainability of 

your continued use of dedicated corporate 

fleets. 

In recent years, the global community 

has become acutely aware of the environmental 

and social challenges posed by climate 

change and excessive consumption 

of natural resources. 

As a result, sustainable practices and 

responsible resource management have 

become central to modern corporate 

responsibility. We believe it is crucial to 

align our actions with these principles 

and collectively address the pressing 

sustainability concerns in corporate fleet 

management. 

Our concerns stem from several key 

areas - 

• Underutilisation of vehicles: A substantial 

portion of your corporate 

fleet remains underutilised, leading 

to unnecessary resource consumption 

and emissions. These vehicles often sit 

idle for extended periods, contributing 

to both environmental and financial 

waste. 

• Lack of electric and hybrid vehicles: 

In an era where electric and hybrid 

vehicles are readily available, the 

absence of such sustainable options 

in your fleet is concerning. These 

eco-friendly alternatives could significantly 

reduce your organisation’s carbon 

footprint. 

• Long-term sustainability goals: We 

believe it is essential for your organisation 

to establish clear and ambitious 

sustainability goals for your corporate 

fleet, including targets for emissions 

reduction, vehicle electrification, and 

resource reduction and optimisation. 

We understand that transitioning to 

a more sustainable fleet management 

approach may involve initial investments 

and operational adjustments. However, 

we firmly believe that such efforts align 

with your corporate social responsibility 

commitments and demonstrate a proactive 

response to growing sustainability 

concerns. 

We are happy to collaborate with you 

in exploring sustainable alternatives for 

your corporate fleet. Our car sharing 

service offers a wide range of environmentally 

friendly EVs as well as flexible 

solutions for optimising fleet utilisation. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

We look forward to working 

together to create a more sustainable and 

responsible corporate fleet management 

strategy. 

Yours faithfully, 

Steven Vincent 

Founder, GoTo Car Share 

High-risk 

business 

lenders: 

saviours or 

predators 

Sometimes in business the difference between getting through a tough time and 

closing the doors for good can come down to speed and ease of access to capital. 

Depending on the terms, this can be a lifesaver for a business, or it can be the anchor 

that drags them down to the depths of inescapable insolvency. 

One situation we are seeing 

too frequently now 

is known as predatory 

lending, where a person or 

institution lends money with 

an expectation of failure and 

a view to liquidate the borrowing 

entity. 

Predatory lending practices 

within the business lending 

industry can have devastating 

effects on borrowers. In 

New Zealand, like in many 

countries, business owners 

often rely on loans to start, 

or expand, their businesses. 

However predatory lending 

schemes have emerged as a 

serious concern as some lenders 

take advantage of vulnerable 

borrowers leaving them at 

risk of losing everything they 

have worked for. 

Predatory lending refers to 

the unethical practices used 

by certain lenders to exploit 

borrowers for financial gain. 

These lenders often target desperate 

business owners with 

inadequate credit histories, 

limited access to traditional 

financing options, or insufficient 

financial literacy. They 

offer loans with excessively 

high interest rates, hidden 

fees, and deceptive terms, 

intentionally trapping borrowers 

in a vicious cycle of debt. 

Warning signs of 

predatory lending 

• Excessive interest rates: 

Predatory lenders often 

charge exorbitant interest 

rates, well above the market 

norm. They prey on borrowers 

who are willing to 

accept unfavourable terms 

due to their urgent need for 

funds. 

• Hidden fees and penalties: 

Predatory lenders 

commonly hide additional 

CREDIT CONTROL 

BY NICK KERR 

fees and penalties within 

complex loan agreements, 

leaving borrowers at a disadvantage 

and unable to 

fully grasp the extent of 

their financial obligations. 

• Pressure tactics: Lenders 

resort to high-pressure 

sales techniques, coercing 

borrowers to make hasty 

decisions without fully 

understanding the terms 

and conditions of the loan. 

• Unreasonable collateral 

requirements: Predatory 

lenders may demand 

unreasonable collateral 

that significantly exceeds 

the loan’s value, putting 

borrowers at risk of losing 

their assets if they default. 

Often in ‘high risk’ lending 

it is at this point where the 

business owners personal 

assets become intermingled 

with company securities, 

and in some recent cases, 

a business owner’s parents’ 

house was also secured 

against the questionably 

prudent lending. 

• Lack of transparency: 

Predatory lenders often 

provide incomplete or 

misleading information, 

making it difficult for borrowers 

to make informed 

decisions about their financial 

obligations. 

• Lack of independence: 

Strong links or shared ownership 

with liquidators and 

insolvency practitioners - 

we have found proven links 

between certain lenders 

and liquidators that have a 

much higher rate of liquidating 

borrowers than the 

majority of lenders in the 

sector. We have even found 

evidence of accountants 

lining their clients up for 

such lending in exchange 

for a referral fee or other 

incentive. 

Protecting yourself 

from predatory 

lending 

• Research loan options: 

Thoroughly research multiple 

lenders and compare 

their offerings, interest 

rates, fees, and terms. 

Seek advice from trusted 

financial experts, such as 

accountants or financial 

advisors. Before agreeing to 

any kind of lending to ‘save’ 

the business, you need to 

establish whether the business 

is indeed ‘saveable’, or 

are you just going to prolong 

and worsen the pain. 

• Read and understand loan 

agreements: Carefully read 

and understand all terms 

and conditions of the loan 

agreement before signing. 

Don’t hesitate to seek legal 

advice if anything seems 

unclear or suspicious. 

• Identify red flags: Be wary 

of lenders who pressure 

you to accept unfavourable 

terms or demand collateral 

that exceeds the loan’s 

value. Trustworthy lenders 

will always provide transparent 

information and 

answer your questions. 

• Develop your financial 

literacy: Strengthen your 

financial literacy skills to 

better understand loan 

agreements, interest rates, 

and potential risks. Educate 

yourself on various 

financing options available 

to business owners in New 

Zealand. 

• Seek help from regulators: 

If you believe you 

have fallen victim to predatory 

lending practices, 

report the lender to the 

appropriate regulatory 

authorities in New Zealand, 

such as the Commerce Commission 

or the Financial 

Markets Authority. 

Conclusion 

Predatory lending poses a significant 

threat to New Zealand 

business owners, potentially 

leading to financial ruin and 

loss of hard-earned assets. By 

familiarising yourself with 

the warning signs, conducting 

thorough research, and seeking 

professional advice, you 

can protect yourself from falling 

victim to these predatory 

practices. 

It is crucial to promote 

responsible lending practices 

that prioritise the long-term 

success and well-being of business 

owners, ensuring a thriving 

business environment in 

New Zealand. 

Just remember when you 

are struggling in the depths 

don’t just grab any rope that 

is thrown to you before seeing 

whether it is connected to a life 

raft, or to an anchor. 

Just a thought 

Nick Kerr is a credit management 

consultant with NJK Advisory and 

director of International Private 

Investigations Ltd. He can be 

reached on 021 876 527 and 

nick@nzipi.com


Welcome 2024: here’s the outlook 

Happy New Year. As we enter another year of business it is a good time 

to reflect on what has been and finalise planning on the year to come. 

I’m big on practicing an attitude 

of gratitude – reflecting 

for me is also considering 

what I am grateful for. In business 

I am grateful for the team I 

have around me. They are always 

striving to achieve outstanding 

outcomes for our clients - they 

really do go above and beyond. 

It’s inspiring, motivating and an 

honour to work alongside them. 

2023 has been a challenging 

year for many reasons. As 

a nation, just when we thought 

we were pandemic-free we were 

faced with the challenges of high 

inflation, a downturn in the housing 

market, and national flooding 

disasters. 

There has been a lot for us to 

navigate and many have made it 

through to this point feeling like 

they are in survival mode. 

For us it was an incredibly 

busy year partnering with 

employers to find key talent – no 

easy feat with widely-felt talent 

shortages across most sectors. 

The shortage of key talent 

has meant that end-to-end 

recruitment processes have been 

stretched out to sometimes double 

the length of time (depending 

on the role). 

We know that for our employers, 

recruitment and retention 

are some of the most challenging 

and competitive aspects to 

running a business – particularly 

over the past two years. 

The talent shortage means the 

unemployment rate currently sits 

at 3.9% – it has remained steady, 

with predictions that the figure 

will rise as we enter uncertain 

economic times in 2024. 

For now we are still working 

within a candidate-driven market, 

which leaves smaller businesses 

in a wage war with larger 

companies with more resources, 

resulting in a real hindrance to 

business growth. 

Salaries have continued to rise; 

Interestingly a recent statistical 

report indicated that every single 

region in New Zealand reached a 

record average high when it came 

to salaries in 2023, with the average 

salary in New Zealand being 

$71,800, up 8% from last year. 

Even with these wage hikes, 

61% of New Zealanders believe 

their current pay does not meet 

the rising cost of living pressures. 

Money talks at present, and 

while not always the number 

one reason people look to change 

companies, it has become a high 

priority. 

A recent Strategic Pay survey 

noted that the engineering and 

technical, finance and accounting, 

and HR roles have been the 

most challenging and difficult 

positions to fill. Those who participated 

in the survey also noted 

that staff turnover has mostly 

remained the same in compared 

to last year. 

Following on from the international 

border closures due to 

Covid-19 lockdowns in 2021 to 

2022, this year we have seen a 

strong recovery in the migration 

sector, with an increased number 

of permanent arrivals in 2023. 

We are seeing this filter through 

to the employment market – but 

it is slow – mitigated somewhat 

as we continue to lose talent 

lured by off-shore roles and much 

higher salaries. 

After six years of New Zealand 

being led by a Labour government, 

the 2024 General Election 

saw the National party win 

39% of the party vote. With the 

Government’s 100-day plan just 

released, we see that the Government 

is promising action. Below 

are some of the key points that 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

BY KELLIE HAMLETT 

will be of note to employers in the 

year ahead: 

• Extend 90-day trial periods to 

businesses with more than 20 

employees 

• Abolish fair-pay agreements 

• Streamline NZ’s Immigration 

process (including a refresh of 

many Immigration NZ polices) 

• Create a multi-million-dollar 

fund to promote regional tourism 

events and activities 

• Ending various business support 

programs (E.g. Provincial 

Growth and Callaghan 

Innovation) 

• Disestablish Te Pukenga 

• Review of Government Departments’ 

staffing 

It is fair to say that there will 

be ongoing challenges for business. 

For many, 2023 was a year 

we felt great uncertainty and volatility 

– increased cost of living 

pressures, rising inflation and 

interest rates, talent shortages, 

changes in Government and fears 

of an upcoming recession – we 

saw it all. 

With modest reports on the 

year ahead in terms of the economic 

outlook, it’s fair to note 

that while it’s not exactly looking 

rosy, it probably won’t get any 

worse either. 

Interest rates are forecast to 

level out, with inflation slowing 

and the housing market improving. 

Despite the commentary, the 

year ahead does have an optimistic 

feel to it. 

So for employers, particularly 

in the first half of the year, while 

the market may soften a little, we 

expect it to remain candidate-led. 

A focus on retention of key talent, 

training and development will be 

key. 

We expect the focus on salaries 

to remain strong, and offering 

incentives and benefits that 

equate to ‘cash in the pocket’ may 

just give you the edge when it 

comes to recruiting. 

Talent ID are Recruitment Specialists 

and can support you through your 

recruitment process. Please feel 

free to talk to us about this by 

calling 07 349 1081 or emailing 

kellie@talentid.co.nz 

At Bayleys, we believe relationships are what businesses are built on and how they 

succeed. We understand that to maximise the return on your property you need: 

Professional property management 

A business partner that understands your views and goals 

Contact the Bayleys Tauranga Commercial Property Management team today. 

Bayleys Tauranga 

Commercial Property Management 

07 579 0609 

jan.cooney@bayleystauranga.co.nz 

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services


Lodestone Energy 

begins construction 

Lodestone Energy, New Zealand’s 

leading utility-scale 

solar energy company, held 

a ground-breaking ceremony in 

December in Waiotahe to mark 

the start of construction of its 

third and largest utility-scale 

solar farm. 

The 30MW farm bordering 

the Waiotahe River in the Ōpōtiki 

District will generate 69 GWh of 

power annually from over 70,000 

solar panels – enough to supply 

more than 9,500 of Aotearoa’s 

homes and small businesses. 

Lodestone will again be implementing 

an agri-voltaic design at 

the Waiotahe farm, maximising 

the generation of electricity while 

maintaining productive farming 

activity. Working with local 

iwi, Lodestone has also created a 

native planting plan that provides 

for a build that blends in with the 

landscape. 

Gary Holden, Managing Director 

of Lodestone Energy, says this 

is another step in the company’s 

vision of providing new renewable 

energy for customers across 

New Zealand. 

The Waiotahe solar farm is 

earmarked for residential and 

commercial energy consumers; 

most notably The Warehouse 

Group which has signed up all 

its stores to Lodestone’s phase 1 

portfolio. 

With the recent commissioning 

of its first utility scale solar 

farm in Kaitaia and its Edgecumbe 

farm due for completion in early 

2024, Lodestone has been building 

local contracting and in-house 

capability to deliver its portfolio 

of solar farms. 

Working closely with local iwi 

and stakeholders, as well as construction 

partners, Infratec and 

New Energy by Drillco, Lodestone 

is committed to delivering for the 

local community, bringing them 

employment opportunities in the 

region. 

“At our Edgecumbe solar farm 

we were really pleased to be able 

to recruit approximately 80% of 

our mechanical team locally and 

we are looking to replicate this 

for our Waiotahe project. Some 

of the team from our Edgecumbe 

project are also being brought on 

to help with construction at Waiotahe 

as we want to leverage their 

skills and experiences to help 

deliver this project,” says Holden. 

Waiotahe is Lodestone’s third 

utility-scale solar farm in its phase 

1 capital programme with Kaitaia 

generating and Edgecumbe under 

construction. Whitianga and Dargaville 

are planned for construction 

in 2024 and 2025. Phase 1 

projects are financed by Westpac 

New Zealand, IFM and NZGIF. 

When to sell your business: 

is there a right time? 

There is no set-in-stone right 

or wrong moment to sell 

your business. Ultimately, 

after spending years of your time 

and energy on its success, it’s up 

to you to decide when it’s time. 

But how do you actually make 

that decision? There are endless 

reasons why selling your business 

may be the best choice for 

you, offering you an opportunity 

to reap the rewards of your hard 

work and embark on the next 

stage of your life. 

Growth potential 

It’s not uncommon for business 

owners to reach a point where 

they realise that someone else 

with a fresh perspective, additional 

resources, or industry 

expertise can take their company 

to new heights. If you believe 

that your business could flourish 

even more under new ownership, 

selling it can be a strategic 

decision that shows your 

unwavering commitment to your 

business’s sustained success. The 

influx of capital and talent that a 

new owner can bring might just 

be what your business needs to 

thrive beyond what you previously 

thought possible. 

Pursuing new 

opportunities 

Entrepreneurs are known for 

their innovative spirits and the 

drive to explore new horizons. 

Perhaps you have a brilliant 

new business idea or an exciting 

career path that you’re eager to 

pursue. Therefore, selling your 

current business can provide 

the capital and freedom needed 

to turn your dream into a reality. 

Selling your current venture 

doesn’t mean abandoning entrepreneurship. 

Instead, it could be 

a transition into a new phase of 

your career. 

Lack of a succession 

plan 

Not all business owners have a 

clear and viable succession plan 

in place. Therefore, selling to a 

qualified, motivated, and serious 

buyer via enlisting the help 

of a professional business broker 

may be the best option. This 

decision ensures that your hardearned 

legacy isn’t left in limbo 

and allows you to exit on your 

terms, rather than seeing the 

business decline without proper 

leadership. 

Changing lifestyle 

Naturally, your priorities and 

preferences evolve over time. If 

you find yourself yearning for 

a different lifestyle or a change 

of scenery, selling your business 

can provide the means to 

facilitate your desired transformation. 

Whether it’s moving to 

a new location, spending more 

time with your family, or pursuing 

personal interests, selling 

your business can offer you the 

financial and temporal freedom 

to craft the life you want and 

deserve. 

Aligning with 

personal goals 

Selling your business can also be 

the path to achieving your longterm 

personal goals. Your dreams 

and aspirations may include early 

retirement, travel, or pursuing 

a different career. The financial 

gain from selling your business 

can be a catalyst for actualising 

these goals, making it a strategic 

move to align your professional 

and personal aspirations. 

BUSINESS SALES 

BY STEVE CATLEY 

If any of these points resonate 

with you, then it might be 

time to start thinking about selling 

your business. It’s important 

to remember that selling your 

business is not merely an end; it’s 

the beginning of a fresh chapter 

where you can continue to succeed 

in different ways while your 

business rests in other capable 

hands. 

Steve Catley is a Business Broker at 

LINK Business Brokers. He can be 

contacted at 021 341 117 and 

steve.catley@linkbusiness.co.nz 

IP protection, simplified. 

We’ve been championing innovation since 1979. 

A safe pair of hands delivering outstanding results. 

jamesandwells.com


Living the dream: 

you and me both 

“We live in one of the greatest places in the world. And I have one of the best jobs 

in the world – though it’s actually less a job and more a lifestyle.” 

> By DAVID PORTER 

We spoke to Bay of Plenty 

Business News owner 

Alan Neben recently 

about his plans for 2024 and 

were surprised to hear changes 

are afoot. While he assured us 

that Business News, or BBN as 

he refers to it, is here to stay, he 

is taking the advice of Steve Catley 

in this month’s Link Business 

column, “When to sell your business: 

is there a right time?” (see 

page 10) 

“It is time for a fresh perspective 

– we’ve grown incredibly 

over a few years, but a fresh perspective 

will add excitement and 

open up new possibilities.” 

Alan launched BBN back in 

2017. At the time it was an expansion 

of his existing publishing 

interests in New Zealand and 

Australia. 

“Back then Waikato Business 

News simply couldn’t keep up 

with the demand from advertisers 

for a channel to reach the rapidly 

expanding Bay of Plenty business 

market – so we launched Bay of 

Plenty Business News and operated 

for six months from our Hamilton 

office. But the Bay was booming, 

even back then, and we needed to 

be there in the community, not on 

the outside looking in.” 

He moved to the Bay in 2017 

anticipating the region was destined 

to become New Zealand’s 

next big success story. 

Now in 2023 it seems his 

predictions were ‘right on the 

money’: PriorityOne is emphatic 

that Tauranga is ‘a thriving place 

to do business’. 

Tauranga’s GDP has eclipsed 

the national average since 2013 

to take the title of New Zealand’s 

fastest-growing economy. And 

Tauranga is growing its knowledge-intensive 

workforce faster 

than anywhere else in the country 

due to strong capital networks 

and significant investments in 

tertiary education and research 

infrastructure. 

A range of talented people and 

businesses are being attracted 

to Tauranga Moana. Tauranga’s 

city centre is also experiencing 

a resurgence with more than 

$1bn being invested into new 

office and living space as the city 

intensifies. 

In addition to Tauranga’s 

explosive growth, Rotorua is also 

experiencing a post-Covid resurgence 

of its own. 

December’s BBN, reported 

Andrew Wilson, Chief Executive 

of Rotorua NZ, commenting on 

a recent Rotorua Business Pulse 

survey: “the findings … reaffirm 

Rotorua’s potential as a thriving 

place to do business. This surge in 

confidence reflects the resilience 

of our local businesses…” 

Alan Neben is comfortable 

with his decision to make 

changes: “I’m looking to spend 

2024 pursuing one of my passions: 

travel. 

“While I’ll still have publishing 

interests in New Zealand, I 

decided a couple of months ago 

that BBN needs a fresh face – not 

this crusty old one. 

“The business environment 

here in the Bay of Plenty is a 

modern, energetic one, driven by 

a ‘new generation’ of smart connected 

businesspeople. 

Alan Neben 

We’ve 

profiled 

literally 

hundreds 

of them in our 100 

People magazine and 

our annual Year Book 

– as well as BBN features 

Business People Under 40, 

Thought Leaders, and Women 

Leading Bay Business. 

“I only work on this business 

part-time – it’s probably fair to 

say I’m living the dream”, he 

admits unapologetically from 

his apartment’s home office in 

Mount Maunganui. 

“BBN’s reputation sells itself 

to an extent. But there’s plenty 

of room for growth. And our digital 

subscriber base continues to 

flourish, so it’s fun to be at the 

forefront of the new media landscape 

locally. 

“We’ve built great business 

relationships right across the 

region – our beat covers business 

in Rotorua, Whakatane and Tauranga 

as well as the smaller satellite 

areas, so there’s plenty to talk 

about. 

“And acknowledgement that 

Port of Tauranga, Zespri, Comvita 

and SCION are all in our back 

yard immediately grabs the attention 

of national marketing managers. 

They’re not stupid – they 

realise there’s a real economic 

powerhouse here in the ‘golden 

triangle’. And that’s only going to 

grow.” 

“I’m keen to find someone 

to take over the business when 

I travel, so I’ve recently started 

talking to interested parties and 

have put it on the market.” 

Although he says the move 

is tinged with sadness, he is 

adamant: “It’s time for a fresh 

perspective.” 

If you’re interested in owning 

a connected, modern voice for 

the local Bay of Plenty business 

community, this could be a great 

opportunity. 

For more information contact 

Tony Andrew, 021 938 560, tony. 

andrew@linkbusiness.co.nz 

SOME GIVE AND A LOT MORE TAKE: 

THE TAX TWISTS EMERGING FROM THE COALITION GOVERNMENT 

The ink has now dried on the 

coalition government agreements 

with some perhaps 

surprising adjustments to the 

National Party’s key tax policies. 

Given the length of time it took 

to form the coalition, the Government 

will need to move quickly to 

pass the necessary legislation and 

provide taxpayers with certainty 

as we head towards the start of 

the next financial year. 

Below we look at the notable 

changes to tax policies included 

in the coalition agreements. 

Interest deductibility 

Residential landlords will be 

rejoicing in the government’s 

decision to expedite the reintroduction 

of mortgage interest 

deductibility. Previously set for a 

more gradual return, mortgage 

interest deductibility for residential 

rental properties is now 

to be restored with a 60 percent 

deduction in 2023/24, 80 percent 

in 2024/25 and 100 percent in 

2025/26. 

No foreign buyer’s tax 

In the spirit of give and take 

inherent in any negotiation, the 

TAXATION 

BY ANDREA SCATCHARD 

abandonment of the foreign buyer’s 

tax stands out as a concession 

to the New Zealand First party. 

The National Party had proposed 

to lift the ban on the purchase 

of real estate by foreigners 

for properties worth more than 

$2 million. At the 

same time, they 

proposed to introduce 

a foreign 

buyer’s tax of 15% 

on the purchase 

price. 

This change 

will no longer be going ahead, 

meaning foreigners (other than 

Australians or Singaporeans) will 

still not be able to buy New Zealand 

real estate at all. 

Significantly, this has also put 

an end to what was touted to be 

a particularly lucrative source of 

additional tax revenue and could 

be a key reason why we have also 

seen the back-track on repealing 

the “App Tax”. 

App tax 

The National Party campaigned 

vocally on repealing the “App 

Tax” so it was unexpected the 

hear that the planned repeal of 

the “App tax” is now discarded. 

This so-called App Tax has 

already been legislated for and 

comes into force on 1 April 2024. 

From this date, platforms 

operating in ride-sharing, food 

delivery, and short-term accommodation 

services will be 

> From 1 April 2024 platforms operating in 

ride-sharing, food delivery, and short-term 

accommodation services will be required to 

charge GST on these services, 

required to charge GST on these 

services, even if the underlying 

owner/driver is not GST registered 

and makes under $60,000 

per year so is not required to be 

GST registered. 

Holiday home owners and rideshare/delivery 

drivers will now 

need to understand what these 

changes mean for them – while 

the platform can claim a notional 

GST input tax credit on behalf of 

the supplier, there will still be a 

net 6.5% GST to be returned to 

Inland Revenue. Unless the owners/drivers 

can increase their 

charges to customers this is likely 

to cut into their profits. 

Increased Inland 

Revenue audits 

We have seen a notable uptick 

in Inland Revenue’s compliance 

activities and this should be 

expected to increase further with 

the National-New 

Zealand First coalition 

agreement 

providing additional 

funding to 

Inland Revenue 

to undertake tax 

audits. 

We are seeing activity right 

across the spectrum of taxpayers 

at the moment, from questioning 

the tax governance practices of a 

number of our large corporates to 

contacting taxpayers who appear 

to be diverting their personal service 

income to related individuals 

or entities that are taxed at a 

lower rate. 

We have also seen the release 

of Inland Revenue’s report into 

the trust disclosure information 

that has been gathered from the 

2022 trust income tax returns. 

Inland Revenue analysed the 

data gathered from these returns 

to identify behavioural change 

after the top personal tax rate 

increased to 39%, and we should 

expect the same level of scrutiny 

to be applied to taxpayer 

behaviour ahead of the trust tax 

rate increase to 39% next year. 

The underlying theme here 

is that, following a period of relatively 

low levels of Inland Revenue 

compliance activity, you 

should now expect that Inland 

Revenue may come knocking and 

to be prepared. 

For advice on how you can 

navigate the changing tax landscape, 

consult a tax professional. 

Andrea Scatchard is a Tax Partner 

at Deloitte, based in the Bay of 

Plenty. She can be contacted on 

ascatchard@deloitte.co.nz


ANABOLIC 

THINKING: 

the ultimate 

business growth 

hormone? 

Smart business owners have discovered a miracle growth supplement. 

Totally natural, totally untraceable, with zero adverse side effects. It 

delivers a human performance enhancement that outshines any known 

methodology or approach – but will they be brave enough to use it? 

I’ve sampled every performance 

hack on the planet. 

Webinars, seminars, 

e-learning, coaching, audiobooks, 

meditation, journaling, 

sleep-tracking, standing desks, 

walking meetings, sensory chambers, 

ice baths, infra-red saunas, 

blood work, bespoke mineral and 

vitamin mixes, Qigong, tarot-card 

networking and everything in 

between. I even got so desperate 

that I once dived into the murky 

waters of LinkedIn. 

However, I’ve made a discovery 

that’s going to shock the business 

world: There is an ultimate 

business growth substance on the 

streets. 

If administered correctly, it 

will deliver an uplift in human 

performance. You and your teams 

will experience greater focus, 

clarity and confidence. You will 

deliver more work in less time. 

Your clients and customers will 

be delighted with the results and 

will look up at you in awe. 

And the best part – this wonder 

supplement is 100% free. 

Welcome to the miracle of 

Anabolic Thinking. 

Learning isn’t working 

The so-called ‘tried and tested’ 

methods to increase workforce 

productivity and performance no 

longer work. 

In the past, all it would take 

was an uplifting afternoon in 

a training room, watching an 

excitable business coach dancing 

around in front of flipcharts, with 

post-it notes flying around like 

confetti. 

After Covid landed and sent 

employees scurrying to work 

from the kitchen table, businesses 

resorted to webinars. We 

soon discovered that delivering 

a powerful, tangible and impactful 

learning experience via Zoom 

shows about as much emotion as 

delivering a marriage proposal 

using emojis. 

These days, with margins 

being squeezed and budgets for 

the ‘soft and fluffy training stuff’ 

being slashed, employee performance 

initiatives are happening 

slower than the construction of a 

Bayfair bypass. 

Employees aren’t even that 

bothered any more. Why bother 

pushing for some learning and 

development opportunities when 

you know you’ll be jumping ship 

into a different job within the 

next 18 months? 

So if you want to capture the 

hearts and minds of your workforce 

and generate a timely performance 

boost at the same time, 

you’ll need something truly original 

up your sleeve. 

That’s where Anabolic Thinking 

comes in. 

Fix your thinking 

problem 

Anabolic Thinking is the true 

transformation of your mind. It 

rewires your brain for a higher 

state of performance. It’s also 

> Anabolic Thinking is the true transformation 

of your mind. It rewires your brain for a higher 

state of performance. It’s also devilish in its 

simplicity, which makes it all the more surprising 

that almost every business gets it wrong. 

devilish in its simplicity, which 

makes it all the more surprising 

that almost every business gets it 

wrong. 

Every performance initiative 

that a company embarks 

upon: every training scheme; 

every change programme; every 

over-budget, management consultant-Powerpoint-driven, 

transformation 

programme you’ve 

ever had the misfortune to be 

part of has been targeting the 

wrong thing. 

Because these improvement 

projects target the symptoms, not 

the cause of poor performance. 

They target the low-hanging fruit, 

the easy stuff that sounds impressive 

in the status report but is 

about as impactful as adding yet 

another traffic cone to Cameron 

Road. 

This means companies are trying 

to change how their employees 

feel. They are trying to make 

them happier. They are applying 

emotional sandpaper to their 

rough edges. 

This is wrong, because we 

shouldn’t be changing how 

employees feel, we should be 

changing how they think. 

Feeling unpopular 

How dare I say it’s not important 

that workers feel happy? 

MINING BUSINESS 

WEALTH 

BY FREDDIE BENNETT 

Well, I’m not saying feelings 

aren’t important. But I AM saying 

that thoughts are more important. 

Anabolic Thinking focuses on 

thoughts, not feelings. Because – 

and this may shock you – feeling 

happy 24/7 isn’t a prerequisite 

to success. In fact, if you have a 

workforce who will only perform 

when they’re gloriously full of the 

joys of spring, it’s a dangerous 

thing. 

Have you ever been in a relationship 

where you know the 

partnership will not deliver a successful 

outcome unless you can 

make the other person feel happy 

24/7? 

I have, and it definitely didn’t 

have a happy ending. 

This is why Anabolic Thinking 

is so powerful, because you are 

changing how your teams think. 

You are guiding them to perform 

based not on what they feel like 

doing, but what they have committed 

to doing. 

Battling with a 

thinking problem 

Anabolic Thinking goes straight 

for the upstream source: the 

mind. This is about encouraging 

your team to understand that 

they can become MORE than they 

currently are. To encourage anyone 

to think differently, you must 

first change the way they see 

themselves. 

If they see themselves as 

underpaid, under-resourced, 

overwhelmed and over-capacity, 

then this is the level they will perform 

at. 

If they see themselves as 

empowered, with opportunities 

to advance their careers while 

transforming the lives of others, 

then this is the level they will rise 

to. 

At the heart of Anabolic Thinking 

is the understanding that our 

thoughts cannot be kept secret. 

Most businesses would like to pretend 

that ‘off-script’ thinking does 

not happen. Even the so-called 

free-thinking creatives would 

rather thoughts were directed 

externally towards the needs of 

the client than internally towards 

the needs of the employee. 

But no matter who you are, no 

matter how many times you read 

‘Atomic Habits’ or sit through yet 

another ‘productivity hacking’ 

webinar – your true thoughts and 

feelings will show themselves 

eventually. 

Thoughts crystallise into 

feelings. Feelings solidify into 

circumstances. 

So if you want to get a head 

start on 2024, and the secret sauce 

is in getting your employees to 

THINK differently. Think differently 

about their performance, 

their purpose, their customers 

and their potential. 

If you don’t do this, then 

every other performance-boosting 

initiative will be a wasted 

investment. 

True performance strength 

comes from Anabolic Thinking. 

It’s like business growth … on 

steroids. 

Guinness World Record Holder, 

podcast host and bestselling author, 

Freddie is known as ‘The Profit 

Hunter’. He helps business owners 

enjoy more time, money and freedom 

by discovering and extracting hidden 

profits in their companies. Email 

Freddie@conqueryourmedia.com


CULTURE 

> ART TRAIL 

Closed for 

the holidays 

Although you’re probably reading this in January – 

despite numerous people telling me they have far better 

things to do in January than read my column – I am 

writing it prior to Christmas. 

The reason I’m writing it before 

Christmas is that if I waited to 

write my January column in January, 

experience has shown me that 

you’d likely never get to see it: New Zealand 

is closed for January, so the logistics 

of getting my words in front of your 

eyeballs over that period are difficult. 

When I say, ‘New Zealand is closed 

for January’, I know it’s not completely 

closed – malls will still be jam-packed 

and Black Wednesday/Cyber Tuesday/ 

Halloween Clear-Out/Valentines-Minus-100-Days/Boxing 

Day/New Years 

Day/New Years Eve Day/Day after New 

Year Day sales will still be pumping – 

and in a perverse twist of logic, it seems 

the less cash we have, the more we’re 

compelled to spend. 

Finding things tight? Mortgage repayments 

leaving you penniless? … 

…come on in and buy a new battery 

powered, solar, inflatable, Barbie scooter 

with air fryer attachments and built-in 

IOT fridge tracking app – only $4,999.99, 

payable over 16 years, interest free, Ts 

and Cs apply. 

Thank God for consumer finance, 

credit cards and Afterpay – otherwise 

I’d almost start to think I couldn’t really 

afford the new Barbie-scooter thingy. 

You know there was a time, way 

back in the dark ages, when people only 

bought things they really needed and 

which they could afford to pay for. I 

know, ridiculous aye? 

Like I was saying before my thoughts 

were interrupted by the Briscoes lady 

yelling at me from the lounge – apparently 

they’ve got a surprise 24-hour sale 

coming up soon – New Zealand may 

be closed when you read this … well 

the fast-food places won’t be closed, of 

course, because … well … they just can’t 

be: how else would we eat? 

But the shops will be … well not like 

the Warehouse and Kmart because 

we’ve got to be able to return the Christmas 

stuff that we didn’t want, or that 

didn’t fit, or that didn’t work, or that we 

were gifted three of, or that we really 

just want to swap for a cooler version 

– you know the routine – but the rest of 

New Zealand will be closed. 

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED? 

BY ALAN NEBEN 

I mean retail shops probably won’t 

be closed because they’ve got to compete 

with the Warehouse and Briscoes, 

and if they’re in the mall, they have to 

open as part of their lease terms, but the 

other businesses will – except for the 

pub and the ‘hospo’ places – they’ll still 

have the doors open so they can make 

some money on the stat day surcharges. 

Actually, the gas station (which used 

to be called a garage, before it morphed 

into a service station, long before finally 

evolving to be a café, Subway and 

minimart that sells petrol and electricity 

and carwashes) will still be open in 

January – which is good news because 

there are frequently January days that 

require me to buy an emergency steak 

and cheese pie and a diet coke. 

And the dairy … yeah, the dairy’s 

open 365 because they just get me. Nice 

one. 

I suppose the dairy has to be open 

throughout January to compete with 

the supermarkets and the gas station/ 

minimart ‘thingys’ – I mean they’re 

open like al-l-l-l the time! 

Now I come to think about it, New 

Zealand’s not actually closed for January 

anymore – except if you’re my lawyer, 

a plumber, a school student or a 

parliamentarian – maybe I could have 

waited until Jan 1 to have written this 

column after all … Nah, come January, 

I’m closed for business. 

Alan Neben is a Mount Maunganui local and 

experienced New Zealand publisher. His 

columns provide a light-hearted perspective 

on social changes effecting New Zealanders. 

Art trail happening 

across the region 

The BOP Open Studios art trail weekend promises a 

captivating experience for art enthusiasts and creativity 

seekers alike. 

BOP Open Studios participating artist 

Constanza Briceno. Photo Jess Lowcher. 

Set to unfold from February 23 to February 

25, 2024, this three-day event 

invites the community to immerse 

themselves in a world of artistic expression 

as local talents generously throw 

open the doors of their studios, offering 

an up-close-and-personal view of their 

craft. 

At the heart of BOP Open Studios is 

a mission to forge connections between 

local artists and a diverse audience of art 

lovers and buyers, spanning not only the 

immediate region but also attracting visitors 

from distant locales. 

2024 marks the pilot year for this 

ambitious project, and the organising 

team is steadfast in their commitment 

to establishing BOP Open Studios as an 

annual “must-attend” event on the local 

arts calendar. 

The art trail is an expansive journey, 

stretching from the shores of Waihi Beach 

to the scenic reaches of Pukehina. Across 

key artistic hubs like Tauranga, Mount 

Maunganui, Papamoa, Katikati, and Te 

Puke, as well as the hidden corners in 

between, studios will open their doors to 

curious minds and creative spirits. 

For attendees, this is more than just 

an opportunity to appreciate finished artworks; 

it’s a chance to step into the sacred 

spaces where creativity comes to life. 

Meeting local artists in their studios, 

participants can explore the very workshops 

where dreams are conceived and 

nurtured. The event invites visitors to 

delve into the passions fuelling each artist 

and the unique journey that led canvas, 

clay, textile, or metal to become the 

chosen medium for their ideas. 

Attendees will feast their eyes on an 

array of creations and gain insight into 

the stories woven into each piece. There’s 

a possibility, even, of stumbling upon that 

one special artwork that seems destined 

to find its way into their hearts. 

Christie Cramer, a member of the 

organising team and a participating artist, 

expresses genuine enthusiasm for 

the inaugural BOP Open Studios art trail 

weekend. 

“This is an extraordinary opportunity 

for art lovers to connect with our vibrant 

local arts scene,” she says. “For artists, 

it’s a chance to share their passion and 

inspiration with a wider audience. We 

can’t wait to showcase the diverse talents 

our region has to offer and create lasting 

memories for all attendees.” 

Art enthusiasts are urged to mark 

their calendars for this artistic adventure 

unfolding in Tauranga and the Western 

Bay of Plenty. Save the dates – February 

23 to February 25, 2024 – from 9.30am to 

4.30pm daily, and be prepared to embark 

on a journey of discovery. 

Whether you are an avid collector, a 

casual appreciator, or simply someone 

curious about the artistic process, BOP 

Open Studios promises an enriching 

experience. 

Further details and updates can be 

found on the official event website at 

www.bopopenstudios.co.nz.


PEOPLE 

> FIRST ON THE SCENE 

ONE 

TWO 

THREE 

Tauranga Business 

Chamber Business 

After 5 hosted by 

Kiwibank at Trinity 

Wharf Tauranga on 

6 December, 2023 

Photos: Salina Galvan Photography 

FOUR 

FIVE 

SIX 

ONE Rebekah Armer (ASB Bank Limited), Lizzie Seekup (Trinity Wharf Tauranga). TWO Marie Roberts (Kanuka Wellbeing & Leadership Limited), Ninette Kruger (Ninette Kruger Metal Art). 

THREE Fiona Sullivan (Mana Taiao Events Management), Mary Jo Vergara (Kiwibank). FOUR Chris Symes (Oxygen8), Adrian Lodge (Kiwibank) . FIVE Valarie Rowe-Mitchell (Emerald Business Advisers, 

Deborah Peake (Tremains), Jacqui Wren-Hilton (Wharf42). SIX Jamie Smith (LINK Business), David Hill (New Zealand Home Loans), Andrew Klaassen (Craigs Investment Partners). 

PEOPLE 

> NEW APPOINTMENTS 

BOP tourism in good hands 

CHARLES RUSSELL 

Ko Taranaki te maunga 

Ko Patea te awa tapu 

Ko Aotea me Pahitonoa nga waka 

Ko Nga Rauru, Ngati Ruanui me Te Pakakohi 

nga iwi 

Ko Tauranga Moana taku kainga tipu 

Ko Charles Russell ahau 

Tourism Bay of Plenty welcomes 

Charles Russell to the Board of Trustees. 

Charles is an Emerging Director with the 

Institute of Directors in New Zealand and 

has started a 12-month internship as a 

trustee at Tourism Bay of Plenty. 

This follows the departure of inaugural 

Board intern Suki Xiao, after completing 

her term as the first appointee 

in Tauranga City Council’s CCO Board 

Intern Programme. 

Charles has extensive experience in 

business management, logistics, and 

relationship management. He is a site 

manager at DMS Progrowers and has 

previously had roles at Opal and the 

Arataki Sports Club. 

Charles is currently studying for a 

Master of Business Administration at 

the University of Waikato and has been 

inducted as a Kellogg Rural Leadership 

Scholar at Lincoln University. 

Board Chair, Russ Browne, says 

Charles brings a passion for positive 

community outcomes, a strong Māori 

worldview, and a sustainability focus. 

“Tourism Bay of Plenty embraces 

fresh thinking and recognises the value 

of supporting the next generation of 

local governance leaders. 

“We wholeheartedly welcome the 

Charles Russell, Andrea Webster, Clare Swallow and Jason Hill. 

opportunity to host Charles and look 

forward to both mentoring and learning 

from him in the exciting and dynamic 

year that’s ahead for our tourism sector.” 

ANDREA WEBSTER 

Ko Mauao te maunga 

Ko Tauranga te moana 

Ko Ngai Te Rangi te iwi 

Ko Mataatua te waka 

Ko Ngai Tukairangi rāua ko Ngati Hē ōku 

hapū 

Ko Hungahungatoroa raua ko Maungatapu 

ōku marae 

Ko Te Kani Atamatea tōku tūpuna 

Ko Andrea Webster ahau 

Andrea Webster has been appointed as 

the new mana whenua representative 

on the Tourism Bay of Plenty Board of 

Trustees. 

Andrea has strong governance experience 

across a range of sectors involving 

Māori land trusts, post-settlement 

governance entities, education, and community 

organisations. She holds qualifications 

in teaching and social sciences 

and has a background in education and 

employment advocacy. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty is a council-controlled 

organisation (CCO), which 

means Andrea’s appointment has been 

determined by Tauranga City Council 

and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. 

Her two-year appointment has been 

endorsed by Te Rangapū Mana Whenua 

o Tauranga Moana. 

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys 

spending time with friends and whānau, 

being outdoors, pottering around in the 

garden, and walking her dog. 

CLARE SWALLOW, 

JASON HILL 

Meanwhile, long-standing Tourism Bay 

of Plenty trustee Clare Swallow has been 

appointed as Deputy Chair of the Board 

and trustee Jason Hill has been reappointed 

for a further year. 

Clare has her own consultancy business, 

Mulberry St, assisting high-growth 

export organisations with strategy and 

culture design. She’s previously had 

management roles in the technology sector, 

she’s an Executive Fellow in Design 

Thinking with the University of Waikato’s 

MBA programme, she’s a board 

member at Forbury, and is currently 

participating in the Institute of Directors 

Mentoring for Diversity programme. 

Jason is the managing director of 

two businesses in the tourism sector, 

Tourism Talent and Meneth Consulting, 

which utilise his extensive experience in 

domestic and international tourism. He 

has a strong strategy skill set and serves 

in multiple board and advisory positions 

aimed at supporting tourism, retail, and 

hospitality businesses to thrive.


PEOPLE 

> FIRST ON THE SCENE 

Tourism Bay of Plenty end-of-year networking and sector update 22 November 2023, 

held at The Cargo Shed 

Photos: Salina Galvan Photography 

ONE 

TWO 

THREE 

FOUR 

FIVE 

SIX 

SEVEN 

EIGHT 

NINE 

TEN 

ELEVEN 

TWELVE 

THIRTEEN 

ONE Beaudene Waikato-Pearce, Natasha Manuel (Tio Ōhiwa). TWO Jo Dawkins (Te Puna Quarry Park), Ole Gaspar (Ngapeke Permaculture), Shona Purves (Te Puna Quarry Park). THREE Geoff Allen 

(Scott Tours), Les Millard (Travel Ed), Paul Marston (Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters). FOUR Gui Calmelet, Tristan Webb (Skydive Tauranga), Nigel Busbridge (V8 Trike Tours), Mary Tolley (Tourism 

Bay of Plenty), Kathryn Busbridge, Stephanie Busbridge (V8 Trike Tours). FIVE Devon Bannister (Zespri International), Suzy Spear (Tourism Bay of Plenty), Vicki Beauchamp-Dixon, Nikita Fraser (Zespri 

International). SIX Daphne Keller (Tauranga Marine Charters Ltd). SEVEN Porina McLeod (Mauao Adventures), Christine McLeod (Ngapeke Permaculture). EIGHT Peter Blakeway (Tourism Bay of 

Plenty), Anne Blakeway (Tauranga City Council), Paul Yeo (Tourism New Zealand), Richard Faire (Tourism Bay of Plenty). NINE Colleen Carey, Sharon Scott (Capri on Pilot Bay). TEN Lance Somervell 

(Bay Karts), Sean Buchanan (Tourism Bay of Plenty). ELEVEN Sarah Meadows (Pacific Coast Lodge Backpackers & Wanderlust NZ), Angela Werder (Tourism Bay of Plenty). TWELVE David Aflallo, 

Sashah Macleod, Oscar Morgan (Tasman Holiday Parks). THIRTEEN Trixie Allen (Scott Tours).

January 2024 - Bay of Plenty Business News

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