News

Getting Lift off – youth development programme profile

To counteract concerns the job market would get harder for its rangatahi (young people) following the Covid-19 outbreak, they fast-tracked plans to create jobs themselves and LIFT Business on Emerson Street, Napier, was born. This retail hub, supported by council and charitable funding, opened its doors in August selling products made by LIFT’s rangatahi ‘clients’ or their broader whānau. Part...

Digital whizzes set to take flight from Wairoa

Eight Wairoa people are on their way to becoming digital whizzes following a $960,000 Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment boost. The first intake of eight apprentices will have the opportunity to become certified in a variety of digital software including Maya 4D, Unity (2D and 3D gaming development software) and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro editing software)....

From fruitbowl to foodbowl

Hastings was once branded as the Fruitbowl of New Zealand but a proposed $18 million Food Innovation Hub is set to position Hastings and Hawke’s Bay as the nation's food capital. Hastings District Council has been the champion of an idea first put forward by local businessman Trevor Taylor in 2013 to develop a one-stop shop that will be used...

Hastings HIVE has businesses buzzing with excitement over a new co-working space!

A new-age approach to renting office space that provides corporate-level facilities for small companies has got the business community buzzing in Hawke’s Bay. From high-end offices, super-fast Internet connectivity, hi-tech meeting and board rooms, a café with great coffee, a chilled water station with still and sparkling water and relaxing lounge area, to luxury bathrooms with showers and changing lockers,...

Fastway Couriers takes on international name – Aramex

Fastway Couriers, New Zealand’s oldest courier business is adopting the brand name of its international parent company Aramex. The change gives New Zealand businesses a seamless delivery network across the world as well as increasing delivery channels into New Zealand for global e-commerce retailers. Established in Hawke’s Bay in 1983 by Bill McGowan, Fastway Couriers New Zealand has 18 regional...

Real estate: Bay asking prices almost as high as Wellington

A shortage of listings in the Bay has fuelled the expectations of people wanting to sell property here. They’re now asking almost as much for their homes as sellers in Wellington. According to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index, Hawke’s Bay vendors are asking an average price of $545,100 for their properties, up a "staggering” 23.2 per cent...

Strong passenger growth spurs Hawke’s Bay Airport Expansion upgrade

The Hawke’s Bay Airport terminal expansion has been given an upgrade, boosted by the latest passenger growth figures and the target of one million passengers by 2025. Last September the airport announced a redevelopment of the airport terminal increasing its size from 2500m2 to 3800m2 to accommodate the growth in passenger movements and visitors to the airport. Recently appointed Hawke’s...

Skills shortage holds back growth

Despite the great weather and lifestyle opportunities, Hawke’s Bay employers are struggling to fill key vacancies. What’s behind the region’s skills shortage? It’s a problem that’s all too common across a range of Hawke’s Bay firms: business growth is being held back because companies simply can’t find the skilled staff they need to expand. Richard Lane employs 16 people at...

Mana Ahuriri announces $100m of New Developments for Napier

Mana Ahuriri Trust has set out a bold vision to become one of Hawke’s Bay’s largest commercial property and asset owners announcing new developments worth over $100 million, as part of the first phase of a growth strategy following its Treaty Settlement. Kerry Avery (left), director of Avery Team Architects discusses plans for the development of the “gravel pit” site...