Category: Latest News

It’s taken a bit longer than expected to get to 50 issues due to COVID19 and most recently the cyclone that struck our region in February. I regard 50 issues as a significant milestone. It has taken 13 years to achieve and I recall the launch of the idea and the doubt by some that a positive regional business publication...

As Hawke’s Bay’s new economic development agency begins to take shape, the organisations chair Alasdair McLeod, has a very clear view of where it will make its most impact. The new regional development agency was announced in December 2021 with a $1.7 million annual funding commitment for three years, delivering on the existing Matariki Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS). Alasdair...

Russell Roads chief executive Gavin O’Connor is proud of how businesses that usually compete against each other “left their company badges at the door” and worked together to clear debris and repair roads across Hawke’s Bay. “Everyone really pulled together to get our communities reconnected.  For the most part the company badges have been left at the door and people...

Unison Networks crews worked around the clock to rebuild their electricity network after Cyclone Gabrielle cut power to over 65,000 customers across the region. It has been the most arduous challenge Unison has ever endured, with 25 crews clocking up over 60,000 hours repairing over 80 kilometres of lines, 230 power poles as well as reinstating sub-stations. As well as...

Excuse the pun, but for Drainways a lot of their existing work was lost down the drain after the cyclone hit. “The impact on our business was massive in so many ways. All of our contract works stopped for more than a month,” says managing director Mark Currie. “We returned back to work six days after the cyclone and only...

Sophie McHardy and Richard Paul didn’t hesitate in finding ways that they and the company they work for, Mediaworks, could pitch in and help. Richard, now based at the Mediaworks Auckland office, as their head of property, loaded up a ute of supplies and headed south to his beloved region as soon as he could, while locally Sophie and the...

The Rescuers Jimmy Guerin and his team at Helicopters Hawke’s Bay pulled hundreds of people from roofs, risking their own lives in doing so. Weeks on from the cyclone, Jimmy says those rescues remain a blur, as they spent hours and hours in the most impacted areas of Hastings and Napier searching for people and animals to rescue. “It was...

Napier Port has commissioned four new Kalmar container handling machines – two Eco Reach Stackers and two Empty Container Handlers, after a comprehensive procurement process that was aligned to the port’s Emissions Reduction Strategy and wider sustainability objectives. These machines have a natural, long-term life cycle, so it is critical the right environmental and investment decisions are made as the port works towards...

Do you have an awesome business idea that you want to bring to reality but are struggling to get it off the ground? It’s time to become a rebel and step out of your comfort zone and participate in the 10-day free Rebel Business School Aotearoa. The Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Ministry of Social Development are bringing...

Bringing together over 10 different partners in holistic health & wellness, science and education, the Family Health Fair is set to be both entertaining as well as insightful. The Family Health Fair takes place 22 June at The Blyth Performing Arts Centre. The event is particularly interesting for parents including their tweens / teenagers, health professionals, educators, philanthropists, and those...