Blog

Pro Legal
Franchising – what’s in the fine print?
Despite being prevalent throughout New Zealand, there is no legislation that governs or regulates franchises, with the result that there is no requirement for the terms of a franchise to be fair and reasonable. What is a Franchise? Every franchise should be a replica of the Franchisor’s business, therefore giving customers of the franchise a consistent experience. The Franchisee gains...
Pro IT
5G – the need for speed
There has been quite a bit of discussion and some excitement around 5G coming and what that might mean for us here in New Zealand. Firstly, what is 5G. Simply 5G is the fifth- generation mobile network. In 1987 1st generation was deployed in New Zealand and this was all about voice, 2nd generation in the 90s was digital enabling...
Pro Education
Entrepreneurs Alive and Thriving at EIT
The Hawke’s Bay economy is changing and EIT is adapting to meet the era of the entrepreneur. “Over the past decade there has been a massive global shift to entrepreneurial ecosystems,” said Jonathan Sibley, EIT’s Director of Research and Associate Professor, School of Business. “It’s been estimated that 50 percent of all jobs created in OECD countries over the last...
Pro Finance
Making cents of the market
It is the process of anticipating what could lie ahead, and the creation of methods and processes to help minimise the potential negative effects of future influence... but can you ever truly 100% futureproof a portfolio? The truth is you can’t completely 100% future-proof any portfolio, because investment involves risk no matter how low, and the future is uncertain. But...
Pro RMA
What’s New in Planning?
Proposals for developing a ‘national planning template’ were first introduced following a 2013 discussion document ‘Building Competitive Cities: Reform of the Urban and Infrastructure Planning System’, with consultation on the development of National Planning Standards commencing on 6 June 2018 and submissions on Draft Standards closing on 17 August 2018. The themes emerging from the consultation indicated that: current plans...
Business Profiles
Success flows from the drains up
When the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2007, Mark Currie thought his family business, Drainways, was about to go down the drain, literally. The business, started by Owen Currie in 1977, was starting to feel the strain of the downfall in construction projects across Hawke’s Bay. Mark had taken over the business from an older brother in 2007 and was...
Latest News
Record turnover and passenger growth brings forward Airport Masterplan review
Passenger growth at Hawke’s Bay Airport continues to exceed expectations and has led to the company posting a record turnover of $6.6 million. Year-on-year passenger growth is up 8 percent with 715,000 annual passengers for the rolling year through to October 2018. Net profit after tax of $1.4m, was slightly down on last year ($270,000) but was due to increased...
Latest News
Strong tenant interest in large commercial development in Havelock North
Construction is underway on one of the largest commercial development in Havelock North in a decade with key tenants already confirmed for stage one, signalling strong confidence in the fast-growing CBD. Murrayfield Properties Limited, owned by Jonathan and Cristina McHardy’s family trust, has a vision to create a modern vibrant retail, commercial and hospitality precinct. A representative for the McHardys,...
Latest News Pro Primary
PickMee! in Full Blossom
PickMee! summerfruit trees are in full blossom, with almost perfect conditions producing good strong flowering for pollination, to grow crops of nectarines, plums and peaches in time for Christmas. “Blossom is right on time, with plenty of flowers for the bees to do their work,” says John Altham, whose family business is a major New Zealand producer under the PickMee!...
Latest News
A great result – BSA upholds complaint
Today the Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld complaints by Damon Harvey and Anna Lorck against Mediaworks regarding two news items by Newshub in January this year.  These items were in relation to the delayed rocket launch from the Māhia Peninsula. The Harvey Lorcks said: “We are pleased that an independent tribunal has agreed with our concerns regarding Newshub’s unfair and...