Business Profiles

On the right Axis for growth

A Hawke’s Bay business that plays a big role in putting other businesses up in bright shining lights, prefers to keep a low profile. Axis might not be well known within the Hawke’s Bay scene in general but they are the ‘go to’ business for sign writers nationwide through to boat manufacturers and everything in between. So, what do Axis...

Collective wisdom, bottom line success – The Alternative Board

Many small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Hawke’s Bay are set to benefit from a globally successful business development model that is based on collaboration of those sitting around a boardroom table. The Alternative Board - www. thealternativeboard.co.nz, has been brought to the Bay by two well-known local businessmen Wayne Baird and Russell Jaggard. It draws on their wide range...

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...

Building owners on shaky ground with new legislation

Due to the new earthquake-prone building legislation, building owners across the country could be facing a mandatory structural assessment to determine whether or not their buildings are earthquake prone. No longer will owners of older buildings be able to postpone structural assessments as the new legislation gives clear guidelines on time frames. Local councils are required to assess their building...

Barker Contractors – Signed, sealed and delivered for roading contractor

Waipawa based Barker Contractors has gone from being a jack of all trades to a specialist roading contractor, leading the way with new innovations. Business owner Michael Barker returned from a five year working stint in Australia back in 1980 and has taken the business of a journey of expansion, both in services and staff numbers, to evolving into a...

Enable Business – Championing the Success of Businesses in the Bay

Two of Hawke’s Bays’ most innovative accountancy firms — enablebusiness and Knowledge Accountants — have joined forces to deliver even more value to their clients. Well-known Hastings accountant Cedric Knowles and his team at Knowledge Accountants Ltd have merged with enable- business Hawke's Bay – and the new two-partner firm is looking forward to an exciting future. “We’re rapt to...

Hurford Parker – Good cover is just one part to being a leading local insurance provider

Experienced insurance broker Jeff Parker has seen disasters such as fires destroy Hawke’s Bay business premises and can tell the good and the bad stories when it comes to insurance cover and business continuity. Jeff and the late Jim Hurford set up Hurford Parker on 1 June 1994 on the simple ethos that people want to know who they are...

Havelock North Tyres – More tread in the game than most

You would get bald tyres driving around Hawke’s Bay trying to find someone with more knowledge on tyres than Havelock North Tyre and Alignment owner Greg Nicholson. The tyre industry runs as deep as new tyre tread in Greg’s life, he and wife Fiona even named their youngest son after Greg’s favourite tyre brand – Cooper. Greg left school in...