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Bay of Plenty and Waikato businesses are the most adaptable in the country, according to new research from 2degrees.
The September Shaping Business Study revealed that while 77 per cent of New Zealand businesses reported they were able to operate in either some or full capacity during lockdown, that rose to 79 per cent in Bay of Plenty and 87 per cent in Waikato businesses.
Waikato businesses were more likely (26 per cent) to be considered "thriving" before this year's August lockdown versus the national average (16 per cent).
They were also more likely to be pursuing opportunities to start a new business or adapt an existing one. However, 25 per cent of Bay business leaders say they don't possess the digital skills needed to help their business.
The research, conducted by an external provider and carried out in September with about 1000 business decision-makers around Aotearoa, found that for businesses slowly getting back on track after major disruptions to their work, technology is a key enabler.
Thirty-five per cent of those businesses identified flexibility to work from home as important to getting back on track, with over a quarter (26 per cent) identifying improved digital skills and access, and one in five (20 per cent) saying it was better technology.
Andrew Fairgray, chief business officer at 2degrees, said the research had shown every business needed strong digital capabilities to weather the changing landscape.
"In 2021, every business is a technology company, in some way.
"Technology has played a role in nearly every business's ability to continue through the ongoing disruption of the past 18 months, and it will continue to as the environment changes."
When asked about the things they had done to put their business in a better position since the 2020 lockdowns, 2degrees found that 15 per cent of businesses had invested in communication technology, while 17 per cent had invested in computers and equipment for employees to use at home, 17 per cent had trained staff with new digital skills. When asked about the August 2021 lockdown, nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) wished they had invested more in digital training.
Ballance Farm Environment Awards on track
Despite the interruptions of Covid-19, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust has
confirmed the 2021-22 Ballance Farm Environment Awards will proceed as planned nationally.
New Zealand Farm Environment Trust chairwoman Joanne van Polanen said despite disruptions caused by the changes to alert levels in Auckland, Northland and Waikato, the awards will continue albeit with some adjustments.
"Our regional committees have worked hard with the farmers and growers in their communities to ensure a worthwhile and rewarding programme can be completed," she said.
"It is more important than ever that the great initiatives and work being done by farmers and growers is being celebrated and shared with others."
The BFEA programme has been slightly adapted to make it safer and less onerous for entrants given the Covid-19 situation.
This includes the requirement for all judges and entrants to be vaccinated, and one round of judging being used to complete the full judging process, limiting the amount of contact between entrants and the judging panels.
"Whilst we have had to change our usual processes in an effort to keep our people and participants safe, we have carefully planned and adapted our usual practices to ensure that judging is still thorough and complete and entrants will still receive the valuable feedback that makes entering the awards so worthwhile," van Polanen said.
The NZ Farm Environment Trust is also requiring all judges and entrants to be fully vaccinated.
"Whilst we respect that individuals have the right to choose whether or not to be vaccinated, the community nature of our programme, including awards functions and field day events, means that to align with the Government's Covid Protection Framework, it is the trust's policy that all BFEA entrants are required to be vaccinated," van
Polanen said.
"We hope that entrants will appreciate that this decision is in the best interests of all involved.
"Through our regional networks, partners, sponsors and entrants across the country, we have a large number of people involved in the awards and we need to ensure we are running a safe programme for all."
New to the 2021-22 awards programme is the Catchment Group Award, which recognises the efforts of a rural community group working together to improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.
Entries for the standard awards programme are now closed.
But the BFEA regional groups continue to work with NZ Landcare Trust to encourage catchment groups to enter this new award, with entries closing at the end of November.
New Israeli Ambassador to visit Tauranga
The new Israeli Ambassador, Ran Yaakoby, is visiting Tauranga in November to help celebrate the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Ayun Kara.
Priority One is hosting a member-only event to meet the ambassador and learn about the business opportunities within the Israeli market.
Numbers are limited so seats are available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
New study to look at how women have coped during the pandemic
How New Zealand women have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the strategies they have devised to cope will be researched in a new project led by the University of Waikato.
Professor Holly Thorpe, a sociologist in Te Huataki Waiora School of Health at the University of Waikato, has received a two-year James Cook Research Fellowship to understand the social, economic, and emotional toll the global pandemic has had on New Zealand women and how they have coped in a time of turmoil.
"These are very pressing questions. Every day that I wake up as a working mother in the midst of the pandemic and lockdowns I know I have responsibilities to my family, to my community, to my students," Thorpe said.
"These are feelings that every woman I talk to is experiencing right now. But women are experiencing these uncertain and stressful times in many different ways."
The professor will lead a multidisciplinary cross-cultural team made up of Māori, Pacific and Muslim early career researchers including Dr Grace O'Leary (Te Arawa), Mihi Nemani (Māori-Samoan, Ngatiwai) and Dr Nida Ahmad.
They will focus their research on three core groups: mothers with young children, young women in low socioeconomic communities, and women with chronic health conditions.
A key line of questioning will be: How do women's movement practices from running, swimming, gardening, online fitness classes, walking in a local park, in the native bush or on the beach - contribute to their understanding of wellbeing and connection before, during and after the pandemic?
The research builds on two pilot projects led by Thorpe investigating how women across the sports sector have responded to the pandemic, and another project exploring how women from various cultural backgrounds are understanding, defining, and managing wellbeing.
Thorpe has co-authored a book, Feminist New Materialism, Sport and Fitness, alongside Julie Brice and Marianne Clark, and she says the research will build on exciting new developments in feminist theory and methods.
"At the local level, it will contribute to more-complex ways of thinking about women's wellbeing and what strategies and policies are needed to recognise the gendered effects of the pandemic and how we can better support women through this and out the other side of it."
Best Luxury Real Estate Agency in New Zealand
Bay of Plenty-based Oliver Road Estate Agents Limited has become a winner of the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2021.
Jason Eves and Cameron Winter, partners of Oliver Road, were awarded winners in
the category of Best Luxury Real Estate Agency in New Zealand.
Gin for the win at the Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards gala
Thames gin maker Coromandel Distilling Company has won the supreme award at the 2021 Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards.
Business owners Daniela Suess and Paul Schneider also won the Manufacturing & Trade category at the gala evening at the Grand Mercure Puka Park in Pauanui earlier this month.
As supreme award winners, the couple receive a $1000 mentoring package from Te Waka: the Waikato Regional Economic Development Agency, and $1000 towards digital and/or radio advertising.
Other category winners: Emerging Business – Coastal Bins, Hospitality – Gastronomics Restaurant and Bar, Professional Services – Woof Woof Ranch, Retail – Coastal Bins, Rural & Primary Industries – Splinta's Firewood, Tourism – Cathedral Cove Kayaks, Community & Not For Profit – Te Whariki Manawahine o Hauraki; Hauraki Women's Refuge, Service to Business – Jo Tilsley, The People's Choice – Maddcutzz.
Organising committee chairwoman Kate Rigg said the gala evening was a "fabulous night".
"As ever, the standard of businesses in Hauraki Coromandel was excellent. There have been many challenges facing businesses over the last year and a half, so it was fantastic to get together to recognise and celebrate the hard work these people are doing in our communities.
"Successful businesses mean successful communities and we are delighted to be able to support local through this event."
This year's guest speaker was Waikato businesswoman Annah Stretton.
Stretton spoke about her fashion empire and her charity work, particularly RAW, or Reclaim Another Woman, which helps female offenders transition from a life of crime to a life of promise through education, employment and intensive peer support.
Organisers would like to thank the judging panel and sponsors of the event: BNZ, Hauraki District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Agrisea, Bachcare, Destination Coromandel, Hikaka Investigations, Placemakers Thames, OceanaGold, Read Bros. Hardware, Richardsons Real Estate and Thames Centre Pharmacy.
Q&A with Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau Regional Apprentice of the Year winner
Central Plateau Regional Apprentice of the Year winner Kaleb Hyndman answers a few questions ahead of the 2021 Apprentice of the Year National event.
The Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year, in Partnership with CARTERS, is an apprentice competition for the building and construction sector. It recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the building and construction industry.
Where did you grow up? What is your background?
I was born and raised in Tauranga, I went to Te Puna Primary and then on to Tauranga Boys. When I'm not hammering away on a building site I'm watching some sport, or mountain biking, which has always been a massive passion of mine. I had to put on the brakes with biking as I got older, as I needed to start thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, but I'm happy that ended up in the construction sector.
How have you found the AOY competition so far?
Honestly, it's been such a good challenge, I've gained heaps of confidence and it's been a cool opportunity to show others what I'm capable of. I really enjoyed the practical competition; it was a real challenge; Master Builders don't make it easy that's for sure!
What made you decide to enter the competition?
I found out about the competition through my company as my boss suggested it to us. I just thought why not, I've got nothing to lose, so I decided to give it a go.
What do you think makes building a good career?
Construction is such a great career; it challenges you not only mentally but also physically. Building keeps me on my toes for sure.
What have you found the most challenging in your career so far?
The Apprentice of the Year competition has definitely been one of the biggest challenges so far. I've also recently become a foreman, which has been a step up, but a great opportunity. I'm learning to manage orders and improve my time management skills so I can stay on top of everything.
What are your top tips for people going into the industry?
I reckon the most important thing is to not be afraid to try new things, as you just never know where life may take you!
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Pharmacy Council's chief strategic adviser recognised
The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand's chief strategic adviser, Dr Jerome Ng, has won an Emerging Director Award from the Institute of Directors Bay of Plenty branch.
In his role, Dr Ng is responsible for leading and supporting the delivery of the national regulatory body's strategic plan to protect public safety and support better and more equitable health outcomes and experiences for New Zealanders.
Singapore-born Dr Ng, who lives in Tauranga, joined Te Pou Whakamana Kaimatū o Aotearoa in May from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, where he was clinical director of health quality and safety service.
The IoD presents its Emerging Director Awards annually. Each recipient receives a cash contribution towards IoD governance development courses, a year's complimentary membership of the institute, a board internship, and mentoring from an experienced director.
Dr Ng said he aspired to be a director because he wanted to help people and their communities, and organisations, achieve better and more-equitable outcomes for tangata whenua and New Zealanders.
"I have seen the impact of good, and bad, governance practice on the health outcomes of communities they are intended to serve.
"I find it frustrating to see those in positions of governance not necessarily there for the right reasons or having the skills to discharge their duties effectively."
Professional director and independent health and social services consultant Anushiya Ponniah, one of the three-person judging panel, said the calibre of regional finalists this year was extremely high.
"These awards always attract a very high calibre of applicants and this year was no exception.
"What stood out for the judging panel about Dr Ng was his commitment and energy, his ability to understand complex information and to provide his own world view.
"These personal attributes will ensure he will be a valuable member of any board as he continues along his directorship pathway."
The other two judges on the panel were Johnny Louie, whose company, Stellar Secure Business Platforms, sponsored the Bay of Plenty event, and independent non-executive director Bob Major.
The jury's marathon deliberations ran for two weeks.