Despite Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact and challenging global conditions, Prevar achieved double-digit growth in 2024, showcasing the resilience of New Zealand’s pipfruit sector. Chief Executive Tony Martin reports expanding international interest in their apple and pear varieties, particularly in Australia and Northern Hemisphere markets. “While nearly 70% of our business remains
Hastings District Council Chief Executive Nigel Bickle sees 2025 as a pivotal year for the region’s ongoing recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, while expressing cautious optimism about economic growth and development opportunities ahead. Through a jointly funded government and council initiative, 167 properties across Hastings and Napier were identified for voluntary
For local Hawke’s Bay civil infrastructure company Tūpore, 2024 was a tale of two distinct chapters. The first half saw the company firing on all cylinders, tackling cyclone recovery projects alongside their regular work for local and national government clients. However, as chief executive Gavin O’Connor explains, the second half
Napier Port’s chief executive Todd Dawson remains cautiously optimistic about 2025, pointing to encouraging signs of recovery in key trade volumes while acknowledging the complex global landscape ahead. “I’m optimistic about improvement ahead,” he says of the region’s economic outlook. “We’re seeing confidence building again across the primary sector, and
Despite challenges in the property market throughout 2024, Williams Harvey Valuers demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving consistently solid performance even in the face of limited stock and high interest rates. Director and valuer Paul Harvey says he was “pleasantly surprised” by the sustained level of instructions throughout the past ten months.
In the wake of a transformative year, Ngāti Kahungunu leader Bayden Barber reflects on the iwi’s journey through 2024 and shares his vision for the region’s future. From responding to natural disasters to driving economic growth, the iwi’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering commitment to community wellbeing.
Unison Group is gearing up for significant transformation in 2025, as New Zealand’s fifth largest electricity distributor adapts to meet evolving energy demands while strengthening network resilience. CEO Jaun Park sees both challenges and opportunities ahead for the company. “The Unison network has over $700m worth of electricity distribution network
As Hawke’s Bay positions itself to Thrive in 2025, the region’s business and community leaders are cautiously optimistic, pointing to falling interest rates and early signs of economic revival across key sectors. In wide-ranging interviews with business leaders, council executives, and iwi representatives, common themes emerge: a focus on infrastructure
Matt Crowther is on a mission to champion the adoption of AI, transforming the way Hawke’s Bay businesses operate and compete on a global scale. Matt has forged a career as a project and operations manager working for the likes of Firstlight Foods and Sirtrack, a NZ owned telemetry business
How is your business using AI technology or planning to use AI? The latest Work Trend Index by Microsoft says New Zealand workers are the third fastest adopters of generative AI tools globally and AI could add up to $102 billion to GDP per year by 2038. The Profit asked
