February, 2018 - The Profit

Damon Harvey

Port success sets region up for growth

The foundations for the growth and success of our regional economy are underway at Napier Port, with the operation posting record cargo volumes, delivering a strong financial result, and lodging an application for consent to build a new wharf. A record 4.754 million tonnes of cargo crossed the port’s wharves in the year to 30 September 2017, up from 3.916...

New pastures for Brent Linn

Brent Linn has stepped down as general manager of Hawke’s Bay A & P Society, one of the region’s oldest and most traditional organisations. Brent was in the role for seven years and during that time has seen the society add additional events such as the Edible Garden Show, while at the same time ensuring the long-term sustainability of the...

New Zealand and India building stronger horticultural relationship

A new partnership has been announced between New Zealand and the State of Himachal Pradesh under the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development Project which targets smallholder farmers in northern India. The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development project aims to be the start of a much broader relationship with New Zealand horticulture. The New Zealand team, working on the project, includes scientists from...

Fresh fields approach for local engineering firm

Back in 1998, engineer Scott Field had just returned to Hawke’s Bay from the UK. Having worked for engineering firms in England and Brazil, he was keen to carve a niche in a rapidly expanding local economy. Setting up in Brookvale Road, Havelock North, with a 120-metre2 workshop, Scott asked brother- in-law and engineer Blair Hislop to join him. Blair...

Hub helps fledgling businesses fly

A new Hawke's Bay Business Hub initiative is connecting established businesses with Hub services and assisting fledgling businesses get off the ground. ‘HUB Connect’ is a three-stage programme to connect businesses with Business Hub services. It’s designed for all businesses to find out more about what help is available here and how best to get started says Business Hawke’s Bay...

Reinventing retail: The Cuba Street of Hastings

Take a walk along Heretaunga Street East’s ‘200 block’ and you’ll find the central Hastings precinct buzzing with retail excitement – except in one corner. The windows of the former long-time home of Denton Wyatt Books on the corner of Heretaunga and Warren Streets, which closed in late 2017, have been whited-out ahead of a major redevelopment. But elsewhere, along...

Nash rolls sleeves up for SME’s

There’s a new party running the country, Labour, and Napier MP Stuart Nash has picked up one of the most coveted and important portfolios – in fact he’s got two – Minister for Small Business and Minister of Police. We thought it was important to get Stuart’s views on how the government can support SMEs and what opportunities he sees exist for...

Insure HB – New venture for Insurance Brokers

Long-time work colleagues Rick Behague and Kerry McIntyre have stepped outside of the safety net of being employed to set up their own local insurance broker business. Rick and Kerry have worked alongside each other in the insurance industry for 13 years, within large multinational firms and also a local independent broking company. They always wanted to own a business...

Mixing surfing and software development at Haumoana

A lifestyle property near Haumoana is the unexpected global headquarters of developer David Frampton’s Majic Jungle Software. Through Majic Jungle, David built The Blockheads simulation app that has been downloaded and played by millions of mobile gamers around the world. A game developer since 2003, David moved from Wellington to Hawke’s Bay in 2012 after a search for the perfect...

Pro RMA

New national standards for Forestry sector

National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) will come into effect on 1 May 2018 in an attempt to get greater consistency across the country Plantation forestry is New Zealand’s third largest primary sector. According to the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries, it employs over 26,000 people and generates around $5 billion in export earnings...