Author Archives: Damon Harvey

About Damon Harvey

Damon is the editor and publisher of The Profit. Damon has over 20 years experience as a journalist, content developer, marketer and public relations specialist. Damon is a huge advocate for Hawke's Bay businesses and The Profit was created as a platform to celebrate HB businesses and business people. Damon is also a director of Attn! marketing pr - www.attn.co.nz alongside wife Anna Lorck. He is also a Hastings District Councillor and chairman of Sport Hawke's Bay. In his spare time he loves surfing, mountain biking, crossfit and spending time with his family, which includes five girls! If you've got a great story contact Damon on 021 2886 772 or damon@theprofit.co.nz

Beca takes up permanent residence in Hawke’s Bay

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“It’s awesome to be able to return to Hawke’s Bay, have a positive impact within the community and strengthen Beca’s involvement across a wide range of construction and infrastructure projects,” says Matt Sanders, Beca Hawke’s Bay Market Leader.

Matt attended St John’s College in Hastings before completing an engineering degree at Canterbury University. After an OE in the UK, Matt joined Beca in 2005, spending most of that time in Wellington, apart from a three-and-a-half-year stint in Brisbane, where he was involved in the design and construction of a new runway for Sunshine Coast Airport.

Matt heads up a Hawke’s Bay team of eight consultants. Most of the team will be based at Hastings Hive, a shared business hub in Queen Street, Hastings, while other team members are based full-time on key projects such as Napier Port’s new 6 Wharf construction project and with contractor Higgins, as part of a partnership for the delivery of the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency roading contract.

The decision to establish a greater physical presence in Hawke’s Bay was based on a strong record of project delivery over many years, a robust local economy with a good pipeline of public and private projects, and well-established relationships with local clients and contractor partners.

Matt says Beca will focus on markets and areas that will make an impact on people and communities throughout Hawke’s Bay – with a particular focus, at least initially, on roading, ports and transport infrastructure, alongside land development, housing, water and food and beverage facility projects.

“One of the key motivators or reasons for opening our office here in Hawke’s Bay was the strength of our connections and relationships, having worked with the likes of Kraft Heinz, T&G Global, Ravensdown, Rockit Apples, local councils as well as major roading and infrastructure projects for Waka Kotahi, Napier Port and Hawke’s Bay Airport.”

“Our clients in Hawke’s Bay do incredible things every day. They are transforming our community and changing lives, and we are right there alongside them.”

At a national level, investment in three-waters infrastructure (drinking, waste- and stormwater), as well as Government reform, is underway across New Zealand – with Hawke’s Bay at the forefront.

Beca is presently working with Napier City Council and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council on responding to the reforms and optimising their three-waters assets.

“Water is a challenge right across the country at the moment. We have a huge amount of experience in the water space and we’re committed to helping councils with this very critical asset.”

Matt says Hastings Hive has proven to be the perfect solution for establishing a permanent presence in the region. The Hive is a mix of individual office suites and an open plan shared workspace, that creates a vibrant business community under one roof.

“We’ve been able to set up really quickly, it’s pretty much been walk in, plug in our computers and hit the ground running.

“It’s got some great facilities such as meeting rooms, a concierge area and café/kitchen area as well as ultra-fast fibre and IT server capacity that we can utilise as we grow or add new services such as 3D modelling which uses larger data capacity.

“We’re really excited and positive about being involved in a wide range of exciting projects that will come up over the next few years. Hawke’s Bay is certainly on a roll – COVID has had an impact in other regions but so far the Bay has been relatively protected, due to the buoyant primary sector as well as local and central government investment in major infrastructure projects.”

To find out more about how Beca is making everyday better, visit: www.Beca.com

Hastings – on centre stage – Pro Q&A with Sandra Hazlehurst – mayor of Hastings

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Sandra has a long history of involvement in the CBD. Her family owned a bakery – Warrens Bakery for many years and she also owned a fruit shop in the 90s, while she and husband Mark own buildings in Warren Street. She was also the president of the Hastings Business Association prior to being elected a councillor in 2010. In that role she was instrumental in ensuring that Large Format Retail was located near the CBD, so as to minimise the impact on local retailers.

As mayor Sandra has also strongly pushed for a hotel for Hastings, which will now be realised with Quest establishing a 44 room hotel near Toitoi, the $40 million arts and culture precinct. The final stage of Toitoi, the Municipal Building is set for completion in 2022, which will be a mix of retail and hospitality on the ground floor and the re-opening of the Assembly Hall. On top of all of this is the CBD revitalisation project and investment by private investors into commercial complexes such as The Tribune.

What are the big projects that council will complete and/or commence in 2021 that will have a positive impact on the economy?

2021 is a year to deliver on our community’s priorities; completing our safe drinking water infrastructure, new housing, revitalising the CBD and managing future growth.

This year will see significant projects for safeguarding our drinking water including the construction of Waiaroha (the water storage and education centre), the Frimley water storage and treatment facility and the completion of seven of our small community’s water infrastructure installations. Major growth infrastructure projects will continue for our roads, cycleways, footpaths and significant housing milestones are approaching such as the start of our Hastings Medium Term Housing Strategy with our partners, government and iwi and Hastings’ first spatial plan.

Other community assets will also commence, including the redevelopment of the Municipal Building, Foodeast (Food Innovation Hub) and the new Quest Hotel.

Hastings is surrounded by highly productive land which forms the backbone of our food producing economy. To manage future growth for the Hastings District, the Spatial Plan will help us understand and use the right land for the right purpose with the right infrastructure investment while protecting our fertile soils.

Hastings is regarded as the engine room of the economy? What’s council’s role in keeping the engine running?

Hastings District Council spends approximately $100m annually to deliver infrastructure, facilities and services for our communities.

Council has changed the way we can influence the wellbeing of our people, through their quality of life, and our economy. In undertaking procurement, Council has the ability to deliver additional benefits to the community and meet other strategic objectives through its supply chain. For example reducing unemployment rates, enhancing the skills of the local workforce, or enabling the growth of local markets or suppliers.

Through our new Procurement Strategy, Hastings District Council can support wider social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes that go beyond the immediate purchase of goods and services. Part of this strategy means Council is committed to lifting Māori economic and social well-being and recognising Māori cultural values and perspectives.

To keep our economy moving, we need a skilled workforce. Through Jobs for Heretaunga, we are connecting employers and young people. This enables our young people to train and upskill so they can confidently enter the workforce through new career pathways.

HDC also has a significant role working with and supporting industries with their challenges. We played a really active role in helping the horticulture and viticulture sectors with their labour supply issues, lobbied the government and developed a seasonal labour plan to overcome these challenges.

Managing our housing crisis through our new place-based housing strategy and working with iwi, central government and developers is also important and will deliver new homes to our people.

What is council’s investment into the delivery of economic development?

Hastings District Council is a leader in Great Things Grow Here for the region.We are working with Business Hawke’s Bay, who provide key business support services for our business community. HDC has developed a Big City business attraction campaign, which includes a video series which key stakeholder businesses will be able to use as part of attracting talent and new business to Hastings.

As a shareholder of the Hawke’s Bay Airport, we have proactively supported through the challenges they’ve faced through COVID-19. Ultimately everything we do for economic development is for the wellbeing of our people – it is to create jobs.

Hastings’ economy is built on the backbone of the primary sector – agriculture, viticulture, horticulture but there’s also technology based businesses establishing in Hastings, do you see any particular technology businesses that will be more attracted to Hastings eg food related?

Hastings is the food and wine capital of Hawke’s Bay and we produce food that is exported around the world. Within these industries we are seeing innovation in many areas such as

  • Agritech and scientific development businesses in the & Hort and food processing sector
  • Robotics
  • Automation
  • Waste stream utilisation
  • Plant based production
  • Environmentally sustainable production and packaging

Our businesses in Hastings have some really dynamic ideas. New tech businesses are investing in Hastings which will develop and create a strong labour supply and an abundance of creative thinkers.

Government and council are backing a regional Food hub in Hastings, what would you like to see as the success stories that could come from this?

Foodeast brings smart thinkers and innovative companies together under one roof, creating a powerful connectivity that sparks new ideas with breakthrough technology.

The collaboration between businesses, research agencies and international opportunities ultimately creates jobs and GDP for the region.

Construction of a hotel is underway in the CBD, this is a major confidence boost for the CBD. It’s been something that you have championed since you were first elected as a councillor, why is it so important for Hastings to have a hotel?

A new hotel will increase economic activity and attract visitors to Hastings to enjoy our tourism, hospitality and business offerings. With our Opera House, Municipal Building and Plaza redevelopment we will become a national leader for

conferencing, entertainment, culture and the arts. A hotel will provide essential accommodation near the heart of this precinct for our visitors. The Hotel will also support council’s vision to have people living in the city and attract new inner city living options.

With future plans to revitalise the CBD this will all bring more activity and people to the city centre, making it a cohesive, dynamic environment to socialise and do business.

The Eastside is under a major redevelopment and at the heart of it is Toitoi and the range of venue offerings within. The last part of the jigsaw puzzle is the Municipal Building, which will also have commercial tenants. What type of businesses would you like to see in the facility?

The Municipal Building is the last piece of the Toitoi puzzle, so we’re hunting out like-minded potential tenants for the ground floor of this remarkable heritage space. We want people and businesses who will infuse this space with creativity

and passion to add to the already popular and dynamic hospitality businesses in the area.

There is a positive outlook on the Hastings economy – perhaps for the next 3-5 years. How do you think we can make this last longer?

Hastings is a great place to do business and we are proactively attracting new business to the District and supporting existing businesses. We are managing growth well, through an efficient, effective maintained infrastructure programme. We have land available for development, a secure water supply and fertile growing soils. We are investing

in public amenities to create a beautiful place to live and we know government has confidence in council to deliver for our community. With our partners we are growing a skilled workforce.

If you would to look out to 2050, what do you think Hastings will be famous/highly regarded for?

  • Hastings is a world leader in food and wine production and innovation
  • Example of a city that has reinvigorated
  • Every person has a house to call home
  • Our inclusiveness and valued diversity
  • World-leading arts and culture precinct

An ultra-partnership based on sound foundations

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Nothing gets in the way of true love. Despite not seeing each other for over 25 years, what was a high school romance has not only been rekindled, but has created an exciting business partnership.

Jody Dawson and Rohana Sergent have established Havelock North’s first independent ultrasound practice.

For Jody and Rohana timing is everything and they are certainly making up for lost time after living separate lives on opposite sides of the Tasman for many years.

They’re now putting their experience, skills and obvious passion to work, establishing Ultrasound Hawke’s Bay in the red brick building in Porter Drive, Havelock North.

Jody has close to 30 year’s experience as a Radiographer and Sonographer, much of that spent in Victoria, Australia, while Rohana’s skills in administration management are a great foil.

“Ro was also the one that gave me the push along to do this after moving home from Victoria last year and settling into life in Napier, she said let’s set up our own practice,” Jody says.

The couple’s story could easily be on the big screen. They lost contact for over two decades and during that time both had married and had children, then gone through break ups. They had often thought about each other but had never connected.

However, Jody’s brother went to Melbourne to visit him over Christmas 2019 and they got chatting about Rohana. Long story short … but Jody’s brother was a facebook friend of hers and out of the blue Rohana sent Justin a Christmas message.

Next thing, Jody responded and after the initial shock decided to facetime each, after both giving their life stories and realising they were both single, within two weeks were catching up in Nelson (after facetiming daily).  “Our connection was instant – we knew it was meant to be” they both said.

However, another barrier got in the way. COVID19 struck and the couple, having just got back together had to endure another nine months apart, with all planned visits cancelled, together they made plans for Jody to return home.

“There certainly were tears. This was the best thing that had ever happened to both of us and then Covid hit,” she says.

Now, they’re going full speed making up for lost time, living and working together. They’re excited about creating a successful business that utilises their complementary skills.

“We are creating a very personalised service that puts patients at ease. It can often be a pretty scary situation going to get an ultrasound and it’s really important that we care and that the atmosphere and character of the practice is very personable and comfortable.  Some people are experiencing fear and the unknown, so to come in and feel at ease is really important,” Rohana says.

Jody, having returned to New Zealand, says there are some significant differences in the health system of both countries. Unfortunately, one key observation has been the time some people spend on waiting lists in New Zealand.

“It’s something that I wasn’t expecting and we want to provide a responsive service whereby we can perform the ultrasound, and provide a comprehensive report from our Radiologist as quickly as we can. Patient care is very important to me, and I provide the best care I can,” Jody says.

Jody and Rohana also have plans to expand their ultrasound clinic further, and additionally to create an Allied Health facility that can be shared with likeminded healthcare professionals.

To find out more about Ultrasound Hawke’s Bay visit www.ultrasoundhb.co.nz or contact them on 06 650 6744

Flightpath – Hawke’s Bay Airport update

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Bay Espresso is set to land at Hawke’s Bay Airport in 2021, much to the excitement of local coffee lovers.

The stalwart of the Hawke’s Bay coffee roasting and café scene will form part of the airport’s desire to tell the story of the region, its culture and history.

Bay Espresso owners Chris and Jonelle Jarvis have built the brand and a strong reputation for award-winning coffee, great food and, more recently, have added craft beer to their offerings as owners of Roosters in Omahu Road, Hastings.

Jonelle says they’re looking forward to adding character, flavour and their unique inclusive offering to visitors to the region, as well as their loyal following.

“We want visitors to arrive at the terminal and go ‘wow, I’m in Hawke’s Bay’.

“Our aim has always been to position our brand as a brand for everyone and we’ve designed our offering to be suitable for all tastes and budgets,” Jonelle says.

The café will be open from early in the morning through to the evening, offering customers their favourite morning coffee shot through to an ice cold beer or wine in the evening.

“We’ve been keen for a long time on having a café at the airport and the timing is much better now than ever before, with the airport being redeveloped as well as us having a few more years of experience of running a business under our belt.”

Jonelle says the couple and their staff are particularly proud of creating a business model that caters for a very broad customer base.

“We have never wanted to be positioned at the high end of the market. We’ve always believed that a café should be for everyone to enjoy, providing different food styles and a wider range of prices.”

Chris and Jonelle have owned and operated nine cafes on the go. They have pared this back to the iconic Bay Espresso café in Karamu Road, a new roastery/café in Ellison Street, Hastings, a café at the new Hastings Health Centre as well as Roosters.

“We will be looking to create a rustic look, which we’re known for in our other cafes, and the airport team are keen to see this style introduced at the airport.

“Although the airport will be stunning, they are also keen to ensure there is a character and a strong sense of what Hawke’s Bay is famous for – its food and variety of coffee, wine and beer.”

Hawke’s Bay Airport commercial manager Dean Smith says Bay Espresso is an exciting addition as they look to transform the visitor experience at the airport and tell the story of the region.

“When you think of coffee, you think of Bay Espresso, it’s a brand that has played a big part in the development of the café scene.”

The café will be in the central retail and hospitality area at the airport and will open when the expansion is completed in April.

Hawke’s Bay Business Hub turns 5

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In May 2020, in the midst of New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown an important milestone for the Hawke’s Bay business community slipped by, unnoticed.

Opened five years earlier, in May 2015, by the then Minister of Economic Development Stephen Joyce, Hawke’s Bay Business Hub Ahuriri, has spent the past half decade as a unique, highly regarded example of regional collaboration, supporting thousands of businesspeople and businesses along the way.

Commenced as key initiative of Business Hawke’s Bay with the aim of unleashing the region’s business potential, the Hub has a vibrant member community, comprising 17 business support agencies, providing many business support services across the region.

The Hub is a one-stop-shop for business. It’s place where businesspeople come to learn, share, connect and grow their business skills. In addition, the Hub is a well appointed and modestly priced co-working, meeting and training venue. With everything and everyone in one central location, it’s very easy to find out about, and to access business growth and support services.

Hub members include Hawke’s Bay Regional Business Partners,  Business Mentors NZ, Callaghan Innovation, Business Hawke’s Bay,  Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, NZ Food Innovation Network, Business Central, Export New Zealand, Te Puni Kōkiri, The Icehouse, Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, Young Enterprise Scheme, and economic development officers from local councils.

The model is unique, as far as we know, and recognised nationally as an outstanding model of regional collaboration. Nowhere else in New Zealand have as many business support agencies come together under one roof to collaborate and connect. It’s about working together to provide the best possible support to our business community. Because when business wins, so do we.

Activation of the Business Hub is a key deliverable under Pou 4 Economic Growth of Matariki, Hawke’s Bay’s Regional Development Strategy for economic, inclusive and sustainable growth. Supporting our businesses and sectors to grow, and to be innovative, productive, sustainable and inclusive is a major focus of Matariki HBREDS. The objective is to create a comprehensive enterprise and entrepreneurial support eco-system for start-ups, small and medium business and Māori business, to strengthen the regional economy, and to develop more skilled and higher value jobs,.

In the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub we have the infrastructure and the community of support agencies not only gathered, but engaged, to help the region and its businesses to succeed. We have a resource that our region can be tremendously proud of. Many thanks to the Hub’s member agencies for the enormous role they play in supporting and helping to develop the capability, innovation and productivity of our business community, and to the funders and commercial partners who, through the funding of Business Hawke’s Bay, make the Hub possible.

As we look forward to the next five years, we are excited to share the news that Hawke’s Bay Business Hub will soon be establishing a presence in Hastings, with the support of Hastings District Council. After five years of very successful operation across the region, it is great to be extending the physical presence of Hawke’s Bay Business Hub to Hastings.

The impact of COVID-19 on our regional business community gave impetus to delivering Hawke’s Bay Business Hub Hastings quickly and effectively to support business across the region.  It aligns Hastings District Council’s plan to support business recovery and to enable access to business support services in Hastings.  Hawke’s Bay Business Hub Hastings is planned to be part of a wider geographical presence for Hawke’s Bay Business Hub  (a hub and spoke model) in the region as we work towards a Business Hub presence in Waipukurau, Wairoa and at the planned FoodEast Innovation Hub.

Hawke’s Bay Business Hub Hastings is a pilot programme operating initially from November ’20 to June ’21. The aim of delivering a pop-up was to enable establishment of service delivery in a very timely way, drawing on learnings from the management and activation of the HB Business Hub Ahuriri and to ascertain ongoing demand levels and needs.

If you’d like to find out more, visit
www.hbbusinesshub.nz

Event champion on search for new events

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ourism and events have been the two sectors that have been hit hardest due to COVID-19.

In Hawke’s Bay, the events sector dodged a bit of a bullet in part due to our busy events period running between October and March. However, iconic events such as the Hawke’s Bay Marathon and the Big Easy were cancelled.

Although there’s no accurate economic data, it’s believed the events sector contributes about $22 million to the local economy.

For event organisers like Kevin Murphy, who is responsible for Napier City Council’s event portfolio that utilises venues such as McLean Park, COVID-19 has created a once in a lifetime disruption.

Kevin is also a New Zealand Events Association board member. Locally he’s seen as a champion of the events sector, having event managed a wide range of music and sport events for well over 20 years.

As part of the Government’s COVID-19 recovery, a $50 million Regional Events Fund has been created to stimulate domestic tourism and travel between regions through holding events. This is intended to support the tourism and events sector and replace some of the spend from international tourists as a result of COVID-19.

The Fund has been split across International Marketing Alliances (IMA) groupings based on their share of international visitor spending prior to COVID-19. Hawke’s Bay is part of the Pacific Coast cluster, which includes Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, which has received $2 million, with the Bay’s share being $600,000.

“Unfortunately Hawke’s Bay doesn’t have a huge major events portfolio that attracts international visitors, unlike Auckland and Northland which are getting $19 million, and I think it’s a bit out of kilter.

“I’m sure they’ll find ways of spending the money but perhaps it would have been better to distribute it more fairly.”

Hawke’s Bay’s share will be managed by RTO Hawke’s Bay Tourism, which will allocate funds to its own events such as FAWC and the Big Easy but can be used for event funding for new and existing events that drive ‘out of region’ visitation; capability or capacity building for event management (eg. manage event programme) for a lead entity or panel member, fund management/secretariat, Event strategy development, event feasibility studies and event development.

This work can be completed by using RTO staff, or by external resource or third party.

A wide range of events can be considered for funding. This includes new or one-off events, and across a broad range of sport, arts, cultural and business events. However, it will be up to the EIP to determine what events will receive funding, as all events that drive out-of-region visitation are eligible to receive funding.

Kevin says New Zealand doesn’t really have many major events and he believes that the $50 million could well stimulate new event ideas from event promotors and creatives.

“It shouldn’t be treated as a way of having to give the money out to existing events but also enable people to throw up some new ideas. There’s nothing to lose from this approach.”

Kevin cites the likes of event promoter Duco Events which has created unique events such as the Rugby League World Cup and more recently, the Black Clash cricket game featuring former Blackcaps and All Blacks, which McLean Park hosted at the beginning of 2020.

Kevin says ultimately content is king and as a region there are limitations from trying to create events from within.

“If you create a new event, the first year is so hard and it’s usually only cobbled together and it can be hard work, so you end up bidding for events that have been successful elsewhere.”

Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay Tourism have signed up with Sports Marketing Australia (SMA), an organisation that match-makes councils and tourism organisations with events.

Sports Marketing Australia has worked with over 62 councils and tourism organisations across Australia and placed over 700 events in 2019.

The company has been given a list of local venues and their capabilities and has already put forward several potential events such as a yoga festival, that’s proven to be successful in Byron Bay, New South Wales and an adventure race.

In Australia SMA has developed an events placement programme that aims to attract and host major events that provide economic, community and branding benefits for regions.

“It’s only early days but it’s looking really positive and it opens a door for us to new events. It’s not a silver bullet but it’s certainly an opportunity as the events are proven and can be replicated elsewhere such as Hawke’s Bay.”

Kevin says the councils and the RTO will continue to build relationships with local and national promotors such as Duco Events, Live Nation, SMC Events and Nitro Circus, and the region will also get opportunities to host sport events that move around on a cycle such as Phoenix football games, international cricket matches and Super Rugby games.

“We haven’t had an Australia A League football match at McLean Park since 2013 so that’s something I would love to see.”

To find out more about these events visit
 www.hawkesbaynz.com.

Creating successful business owners in the Bay

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Creating successful businesses across Hawke’s Bay is behind the change of name for well-known Hawke’s Bay accounting firm enablebusiness to +MORE.

“+MORE’s core purpose is to create successful business owners,” says Sam Ogle, owner and director of +MORE Hawke’s Bay.

Over the past 12 months, Sam’s Hawke’s Bay team have been on a journey and COVID-19 has highlighted how important it is to them to deliver and support their clients in more than just an accounting capacity.

“Providing great accountancy services to our clients remains a big part of what we do, but when it comes to solving cash flow issues, supporting debt restructuring, working through due diligence processes or any areas our clients need our support in, we are here to help and deliver more,” says Sam.

While their name has changed, their people, values and services remain the same.

“We care about our clients and for many we have become an extension of their business; their go-to advisor for all aspects of their business, not just accounting.

“COVID-19 lockdown really highlighted this for us, and it really cemented our client relationships. We have been adding more to our client’s businesses for years now, it made sense to us to have a name that was able to reflect who we are and what we do best.”

+MORE supports their clients through a range of advisory services that include business planning, cash flow forecasting, coaching, succession planning, governance, HR, people management and more. If there are areas where they can’t provide the specialised advice their clients need, they work with their trusted network of professionals to ensure their client receives the best support possible.

As an addition to their core service offerings, +MORE host complimentary webinars each month on a range of relevant business topics that are open to all to attend, not just clients.

What is +MORE?

+MORE is a business advisory and accountancy firm.

“We guide business owners through planning, forecasting and coaching with a suite of tools and strong partner connections to help our clients grow their capability.”

The team at +MORE believe every small and medium New Zealand business deserves access to practical business advice, and they are passionate about helping Hawke’s Bay business owners feel supported through their advisory and accountancy expertise.

The +MORE team truly care about the success of their clients and they understand that success looks different to everyone. Whether it is spending more time with family, growing a business or achieving financial freedom, whatever success looks like for the business owner, +MORE listen and work with their clients to help them achieve their business goals.

Jess Tietjen becomes a new Hawke’s Bay owner & director.

Jess joined the Hawke’s Bay team almost two years ago and most recently she became a director and co-owner of +MORE Hawke’s Bay with Sam Ogle.

The re-brand has been exciting for Jess: “The firm and I are starting our new chapter at the same time and I am helping shape the +MORE story.”

“We’re a modern firm with a vibrant high energy team and that’s why I jumped at the chance to become an owner and director.”

“It is great having Jess as a business partner,” says Sam. “She lives our core values daily. She is passionate about her work and has a healthy commercial view of the world.”

It is a partnership that works and will support +MORE towards their vision – fuelling the ambition of business owners in the creation of time, mind and financial freedom.

For Jess it made sense to come on board this journey with Sam. The firm’s values, purpose and vision resonated with her and when offered the opportunity to become an owner, it was a no brainer to accept.

“After spending years advising business owners, it feels great to be one myself. From starting out as a graduate accountant all those years ago to becoming a director of a firm feels like a huge sense of accomplishment.”

Jess has always had huge respect for business owners, always appreciating it certainly isn’t easy.

Becoming a business owner helped her further relate to the challenges her client’s face, the hard work that goes into it and, most importantly, the rewards that come with business ownership.

“We have a fantastic team along with awesome clients doing exciting work, which makes for an enjoyable work life for our team.”

The future of +MORE in Hawke’s Bay.

Sam, Jess and the Hawke’s Bay team are passionate about helping business owners achieve both their business and personal goals. Working alongside clients who have the drive to be the best that they can be and achieve their goals year on year is what gets them out of bed in the morning.

“Hawke’s Bay is a great place to do business and is filled with driven and innovative business owners. Being able to support them to achieve their successes is what we love doing and will continue to do in the future.”

Contact

Sam Ogle 021 802 882

Jess Tietjen 021 444 869

Office: Level 1, 33 Havelock Road, Havelock North 4130

Water supply business springs up in time for busy summer season

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OVID-19 might be the crisis that we will all remember 2020 for but locally, farmers will never forget the year due to one of our most severe droughts.

Water demand was at an all-time high as farmers in sun-parched rural areas tanked in our most precious natural resource.

Local businessman Shaun McPherson was forced to return to one of his old jobs, truck driving, while his commercial cleaning business Boulevard Services experienced a downturn due to offices and retail stores being forced shut for many weeks.

While driving a truck, Shaun had plenty of time to think about business opportunities that could come from COVID-19.

As he drove across the Hawke’s Bay hinterland that was bearing the brunt of the drought, he plotted his new business idea – getting water faster to those that live in remote areas such as farms and coastal property owners.

“You had to be asleep at the wheel if you weren’t hearing stories of water shortages and farmers struggling to get an immediate delivery of water at the height of the season. Water supply was also regarded as a critical service, so we saw the opportunity.”

The spotlight on access to quality water has increased over the last few years, especially since the water contamination of Havelock North’s drinking water supply in August 2016 as well as the need for better water storage provisions for the primary sector.

Shaun and business partner Peter Cadwallader did some due diligence about the opportunity of water supply provisions and have set up Hawke’s Bay Water in time for the busy 2020/21 summer season.

“Our market research found that there is major shortage of water carriers, with people waiting up to three weeks in summer for water.

“I previously come from a transport background as well, so I understand trucks, drivers, log books and things like that.”

The pair have purchased two tanker units capable of moving a total of 28,000 litres under a Ministry of Health approved drinking water safety plan, and plan to operate 24/7 during the busy summer months.

Long term, they see an opportunity to become a turnkey water management and service provider from ‘tank to tap’.

“The whole idea in the future is to provide the tanks, plumbing, filtering and the water as well as all the compliance and monitoring. We will assist people to identify their needs, and treatment types and methods, then source quotes and project manage the works. Finally, we will develop the drinking water safety plan, which includes monitoring service maintenance/replacements, and sampling regimes.

“We want to add some professionalism and a turnkey solution. We want to be able to advise our clients on what are the best filtration and UV systems, not just deliver a tank of water.”

Peter has lived on a farm for many years and has experienced the stress of wondering how long it would be before their water would run out during long hot summers.

“We captured rainwater in our 45,000-litre tank and when that ran out, we would pump water from a creek three kilometres away, and when the creek ran dry, we had to find another source.

“These days we can deliver a tank of water, which takes the pressure off local sources and resource consent water restrictions.”

Despite his other business interests, both Shaun and Peter will be clocking up the kilometres over summer delivering water.

They purchase water from council-owned water filling stations in Hastings, Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay and will deliver as far north has Mahia and to Dannevirke in the south.

“We’re a start-up business so we’ll be doing the deliveries ourselves. We do have some others that are interested in helping out but we’ll see how we get on.

“Our real point of difference will be that we are 24/7.”

www.hb-water.co.nz

0800 429 283 or 021 836 946

On the correct path – Icehouse insight to First Chiropractic

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Brett and Emma Mead were forced to temporarily shut their doors for seven weeks when Covid-19 hit however, with the support of The Icehouse, the First Chiropractic Hastings owners are not only adjusting to a new economic environment, they are investing in new technology for their customers, taking on new staff and lifting the business to new levels.

Almost two year’s ago Brett Mead signed up to The Icehouse Owner Operator Programme, a collaborative, impact-based course. Brett and chiropractor Emma had bought the Hastings-based business in 2015, with limited business ownership experience and they were keen to upskill themselves in a way that would benefit their patients.

“We saw an opportunity to grow the business but we wanted to grow in a sustainable way – not growth for growth’s sake. We focus on seeing everything through our patients’ eyes, so we wanted to enhance the experience for our patients at the same time as developing a better business.”

Having the guidance from Icehouse business coach and Programme facilitator Michaela Vodanovich gave them the confidence to invest in new technology, including x-ray and a muscle scanner.

Brett says having an experienced person looking into the business from the outside meant they were confident in their decision-making, important for a couple working so closely together.

“Michaela gave us that reassurance we needed.”

While Brett was actively engaged with the Programme’s regular workshops and action groups, Emma was able to join the one on one coaching sessions with Michaela.

“Chiropractors are typically also having to be business owners and that maybe isn’t always our strength, so it’s been awesome having Brett focused on the business so I can focus on ensuring patient care is to a high standard.

“We wanted this place to be an enjoyable experience and more mainstream. People might have had the impression that seeing a chiropractor was a heavy, manual experience but we wanted to change that perception and offer a welcoming modern environment and gentle techniques suitable for all ages. The digital technology that we have now also gives us the ability to see more accurately what’s going on before we start any treatment.”

While the couple have grown the business year on year, they are reaching their goals to offer a better patient experience.

“The growth has accelerated since we started in The Icehouse from patient feedback, to numbers through the door and referrals. Even though the business is tracking well, Michaela has questioned things. Having someone suggest tweaks to our processes, systems and time management has allowed us to increase the standard for patients and then in turn, we see the referrals increase all the time, which can only be down to patient experience.”

When Covid hit, both Brett and Emma’s first thought was, what could they do for the patients.

“We jumped on the phone to Michaela and worked out a plan for the staff to work from home. They contacted patients and free consults were offered on the phone or Zoom with the chiropractors. We started making advice videos and kept staff busy.  There were hundreds of calls made. Michaela gave us the realisation that we needed a plan and the patients loved it. When we re-opened, seven weeks later, the tap was back on.”

While Brett has finished his time in the Owner Operator Programme, the pair are continuing with one on one coaching with Michaela and have been able to utilise the Covid coaching funding offered by the Regional Business Partner.

“We have come back stronger from Covid that’s for sure.”

k.delautour@theicehouse.co.nz

Kaitime: Fueling the next generation

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It has been a rise of epic proportions for Maraenui-based Kaitime. The pakihi (business) is owned and founded by Tina Sheree Rangi and partner Jonny Tawhara with the mission to fuel the next generation by ensuring every child has at least one sufficient meal a day that is packed with nutrients and all the good things that our region has to offer. They are the only local Māori-owned business specialising in healthy packed lunches.

Launching in February 2020 Kaitime mooted their idea to provide affordable and nutritious packed lunches via Facebook, testing the market by running a competition and giving away their first product for free. Fast-forward to October and they now have three sites across Hawke’s Bay and are a provider for the Healthy Lunches in Schools programme. They make thousands of lunches each weekday and have grown to a team of 20.

For Tina and Jonny the key to their successful launch was research and accessing the right support for them. Driven by values and motivated by the need they saw in the community, they knew they needed practical and purpose-fit start-up support. They utilised the KETE Programme through Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga specifically the business start-up module and looked to trusted friends and whānau. “We are so lucky to be surrounded by friends and family who are business owners.  They have really helped shape what we have tried to create for the betterment of our community,” explains Tina.

While the business has clear commercial viability it also operates with elements of a social enterprise. With Kaitime still supplying some schools who are not eligible for the Healthy Schools Programme and ‘pay it forward’ options on their website. They keep prices affordable through donations and support from local businesses and food rescue programmes. For $5 a day, or $20 a week, they provide a varied weekly menu including fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches, scrogin and do hot meals once or twice a week depending on the season. Meals such as spaghetti bolognese, Mac’ n Cheese, chop suey or pumpkin soup. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included at these price points and all the food is prepared in registered commercial kitchens by certified handlers.

Growth and expansion

Tina’s background as a marketing coordinator has stood Kaitime in good stead as they navigate their growth.

Frequent communication and a range of touch points have been effective in building their reputation for reliability and awareness in the marketplace of their services. “Social media is our key channel where we share simple, consistent messaging regarding our menus and community events. It’s so important to keep people engaged,” says Tina.

Their biggest challenges are the not uncommon, establishing a workable work-life balance and delegating while developing roles and responsibilities when the workload forced them to increase the size of their team in order to meet demand. Tina shares, “The biggest challenge so far would be finding enough hours in the day for us to have a rest. Letting go of full control and trusting others to do the work has been hard. Not because of their abilities but because of my own personality being a bit of a control freak.”

The Kaitime team are in expansion mode, with plans to open a takeaway outlet with a focus on Māori and Polynesian cuisine, Kaitime restaurant and catering service. These services will provide existing staff members with the option to work over school holidays when their lunches aren’t required as well as employment opportunities for others.

“Our plans are to go national. If we can feed more children in different towns through our original Kaitime kids then that’s on the to-do list for sure!”

Visit the Kaitime website (www.kaitime.nz)

Story supplied by Sally Crown of Tipu Ake Tonu Ltd –
www.tipuaketonu.co.nz