The Profit - Inspiring Business in Hawke's Bay

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Do you want tulips with your bitcoin?

The cryptocurrency bitcoin continues to make the news. What many New Zealanders don't realise is that if they hold loyalty cards like Fly Buys or an air points card, they already own digital currencies. However, when we read in December of a Wellington waterfront property for sale in bitcoin, and that bitcoin futures recently debuted on Wall Street, the subject...

Steaming ahead for success

When the Newton team took to online capital-raising platform Kickstarter in September seeking seed funding, it took them just 23 minutes to secure the $10,000 they were after. Production of a unique Hawke’s Bay eco-friendly coffee machine is underway after the team behind the award-winning project took just 23 minutes to raise the required start-up funding online. Designing and manufacturing...

Port success sets region up for growth

The foundations for the growth and success of our regional economy are underway at Napier Port, with the operation posting record cargo volumes, delivering a strong financial result, and lodging an application for consent to build a new wharf. A record 4.754 million tonnes of cargo crossed the port’s wharves in the year to 30 September 2017, up from 3.916...

New pastures for Brent Linn

Brent Linn has stepped down as general manager of Hawke’s Bay A & P Society, one of the region’s oldest and most traditional organisations. Brent was in the role for seven years and during that time has seen the society add additional events such as the Edible Garden Show, while at the same time ensuring the long-term sustainability of the...

New Zealand and India building stronger horticultural relationship

A new partnership has been announced between New Zealand and the State of Himachal Pradesh under the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development Project which targets smallholder farmers in northern India. The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Development project aims to be the start of a much broader relationship with New Zealand horticulture. The New Zealand team, working on the project, includes scientists from...

Fresh fields approach for local engineering firm

Back in 1998, engineer Scott Field had just returned to Hawke’s Bay from the UK. Having worked for engineering firms in England and Brazil, he was keen to carve a niche in a rapidly expanding local economy. Setting up in Brookvale Road, Havelock North, with a 120-metre2 workshop, Scott asked brother- in-law and engineer Blair Hislop to join him. Blair...

Hub helps fledgling businesses fly

A new Hawke's Bay Business Hub initiative is connecting established businesses with Hub services and assisting fledgling businesses get off the ground. ‘HUB Connect’ is a three-stage programme to connect businesses with Business Hub services. It’s designed for all businesses to find out more about what help is available here and how best to get started says Business Hawke’s Bay...

Reinventing retail: The Cuba Street of Hastings

Take a walk along Heretaunga Street East’s ‘200 block’ and you’ll find the central Hastings precinct buzzing with retail excitement – except in one corner. The windows of the former long-time home of Denton Wyatt Books on the corner of Heretaunga and Warren Streets, which closed in late 2017, have been whited-out ahead of a major redevelopment. But elsewhere, along...

Nash rolls sleeves up for SME’s

There’s a new party running the country, Labour, and Napier MP Stuart Nash has picked up one of the most coveted and important portfolios – in fact he’s got two – Minister for Small Business and Minister of Police. We thought it was important to get Stuart’s views on how the government can support SMEs and what opportunities he sees exist for...

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...